Battle Lines
The American Media and the Intifada
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- $74.99
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- $74.99
Publisher Description
This book is about the intifada, the popular Palestinian uprising in the Israeli-occupied territories, broadcasted by television to an audience of millions. It explores what happens in a democracy when a government faces a major political crisis with potentially damaging international implications.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The author has covered the Middle East for more than 23 years for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and National Public Radio. Here he zeros in on the first five months of the Palestinian uprising, scrutinizing the media's interaction with domestic and international politics. He raises disturbing questions about political crisis management, the role of foreign reporters and the nature of their responsibility, the powerful ability of TV news to manipulate images and send subliminal messages. After reviewing hundreds of nightly newscasts, wire-service dispatches and U.S. and Israeli newspaper accounts, Lederman concludes, ``There's no question that the U.S. foreign press played the leading role in raising the subject of the uprising as a matter for international debate, or that the Israelis and Palestinians sought to exploit the media's interpretation of events as rallying points.'' His thoughtful book is recommended for those concerned with the relationships among the media, the military and policy makers. ( Feb. )
