As the guns fell silent, albeit temporarily, in the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, experts and media professionals gathered in the Turkish megapolis of Istanbul, issued a clarion call for shaping the Palestinian narrative.
The Fourth Palestinian International Media and Communication Forum, or Tawasol 4, served as a beacon of hope and determination, aiming to ensure that the devastation wrought by Israel in Gaza remains an indelible part of global discourse. Over two days, the forum brought together voices from across the world to amplify the Palestinian story and counter misinformation that obscures the truth of their struggle.
Held on 18-19 January under the theme ‘The Palestinian Narrative: A New Era’, the conference saw the participation of more than 750 attendees from over 50 countries, including journalists, writers, editors, broadcasters, photographers, artists and academics. Against the backdrop of the destruction and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the event underscored the need to leverage both traditional and digital media to preserve and promote the Palestinian cause.
During the opening ceremony, Secretary-General of Tawasol, Ahmed Al Sheikh, emphasised the dire need for accurate representation of the Palestinian plight. He described the harrowing conditions faced by Palestinians – from decades of systemic oppression to the immediate horrors of food shortages, relentless bombardment and displacement. He did not shy away from labelling these atrocities as “Israeli genocide”, urging media professionals to play their role in exposing the truth.
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The Fourth Palestinian International Media and Communication Forum, ‘The Palestinian Narrative: A New Era’ held on 18-19 January 2025 [Afroz Alam Sahil]
A somber moment at the conference was the tribute to the journalists who lost their lives covering the conflict. Over 220 media professionals have been killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023, a grim reminder of the perils faced by those bearing witness to the atrocities.
The event featured an emotional display of photographs of these journalists, many of whom were animated using artificial intelligence, allowing their voices and stories to resonate powerfully. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the children and journalists who perished in Gaza.
Lessons from the Journalists’ Conference
Listening to the harrowing accounts of Palestinian journalists was, in itself, a powerful lesson on the immense dangers they face while covering this war – particularly as journalists are being directly targeted by the Israeli occupation army.
Some of the journalists I met at the conference shared stories of colleagues who had lost their lives. These accounts were deeply heart-wrenching, yet the emotions of those recounting them were strikingly different. There was no visible fear of death, only an unshakable determination to continue bearing witness, no matter the risks.
The conference also highlighted the responsibilities of Arab and international journalists toward their Palestinian counterparts, underscoring the need for international collaboration and solidarity in this new era to support and amplify the Palestinian narrative.
Over the course of the event, 12 specialised workshops were held, offering in-depth discussions on various aspects of the new era of the Palestinian narrative. One particularly valuable workshop, titled ‘Using Modern Digital Technologies in the Development of the Palestinian Narrative’, proved especially beneficial for all journalists.
Another session focused on the coverage of Gaza in the media across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Latin America. It also addressed the challenges faced by Palestinian journalists and photographers, highlighting their rights and the obstacles they encounter under Israeli occupation.
Tawasol: A decade of advocacy
Founded in 2014, Tawasol has emerged as a significant player in the fight to amplify the Palestinian voice. Over the years, it has organised numerous initiatives, including specialised media seminars, workshops and consultations aimed at improving the quality of reporting on Palestinian issues.
Tawasol’s biannual online campaigns counter Israeli propaganda by engaging influencers and activists worldwide. The organisation also offers professional media training to Palestinian journalists, empowering them to effectively present their narrative and influence public opinion.
At the forum, Director of Tawasol, Bilal Khalil, highlighted the challenges and achievements of the organisation.
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“For the past 11 years, we have encouraged journalists and institutions to properly address the Palestinian issue,” he said. Khalil expressed hope that media outlets worldwide, including in India, would intensify their efforts to report the truth about Palestine.
While some Indian TV channels have been criticised for aligning with Israeli propaganda, Khalil acknowledged the crucial role played by Indian newspapers and digital platforms in presenting the Palestinian perspective. He praised these outlets for their consistent and accurate reporting on Gaza and the broader Palestinian issue.
He stated that the occupation of Palestine has persisted for 77 years, and the struggle of the Palestinian people continues today, marking more than a century of resistance. The issue of Palestine is not just a humanitarian crisis where a nation is forcibly displaced and in need of assistance; it is the struggle of people who have the right to live freely and with dignity on their own land.
Once they regain their freedom, they will extend help to all those in need around the world. Therefore, “I call on the international media to intensify their efforts in reporting the genocide and human rights violations against the Palestinian people, and to support the international justice and human rights frameworks recognised globally,” Bilal added.
As the forum concluded, a series of initiatives were announced, including:
- A training programme for 220 young journalists in Gaza.
- Provision of journalistic equipment to 20 journalists.
- Joint training sessions with partner organisations.
- Regional meetings to strengthen the Palestinian narrative globally.
- The introduction of the Media Creativity Award for Palestine, recognising exceptional content promoting the boycott of occupation-supporting companies.
The conversations, strategies, and collaborations forged in Istanbul are expected to ripple across the globe, empowering media professionals to challenge misinformation and present an authentic Palestinian narrative.
For those who attended, the event was more than a conference, it was a testament to the power of solidarity and the enduring strength of the human spirit. In the words of one journalist, “We are not just telling stories; we are preserving a history that must never be forgotten.”