In order to facilitate contact between Israeli and Palestinian journalists the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Jerusalem and its partner, the Geneva Initiative, recently held a joint-seminar on the topic of Journalism in Conflict. The 19 participants were journalists from all major Israeli and Palestinian media, such as Haaretz, Yedioth Ahronoth, Maariv, Jerusalem Post, Al Quds, Al Ayam, Voice of Palestine and members of international media - namely Associated Press and Aljazeera. Many of the journalists hold key positions within their organizations and have the ability to influence internal decision making processes and public perceptions.

The aims of the seminar were threefold: 1. Provide journalists from both sides of the conflict with reliable sources of information regarding events happening on the other side. 2. Raising participants' awareness of the vital role they play in covering political and other developments relating to the conflict on the one hand and the peace process on the other. 3. To raise participants' awareness of ongoing efforts by people on both sides to achieve a agreed-upon solution to the conflict.

The program comprised of facilitated discussions between the participants and lectures by senior experts in the media field. Professor Yoram Peri, head of the Chaim Herzog Institute for Media, Politics and Society at Tel Aviv University, identified two main problems with the Israeli coverage of the conflict: Most of the information is derived from the Israeli military, thus creating a one-dimensional picture. And secondly the media all over the world prefers to cover war - and not issues of peace, because this topic is perceived as boring and not profitable. Professor Peri proposed a model of "peace journalism" that urges journalists to facilitate possible solutions to the conflict rather than cementing the status quo - without compromising their journalistic role of observers.

Both Israeli and Palestinian journalists proved themselves to be very critical of their profession and capable of healthy introspective. For example, more than one of the Palestinian journalists explained that on their side, reporting is often hindered by the fact that journalists are faced with constant pressures by the different political factions who only want the media to report on issues which serve their particular interests. Noncompliance may be answered with violence. Israelis lamented a growing ignorance in Israel for topics relating to the Palestinian neighbors - the only newsworthy topic in this regard seem to be clashes and attacks.

In the closing session journalists agreed that in their profession they should constantly be alert to how their reporting can influence the media consumers' perception of the other side and about the manner in which each of them can reduce the presentation of a tainted picture regarding developments on the other side.

Participants noted that the seminar enabled them to present a more comprehensive and precise reports in the future because of the personal ties that had been forged with like-minded colleagues from the other side. Some journalists also encouraged the formation of an Israeli-Palestinian organization that will work to co-ordinate contacts between media professionals from both sides. In any case, the basis for future cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian journalists was laid at this fruitful workshop.