The following series of talks, on media coverage of Israel, was hosted by Amnesty International, who came under pressure to cancel the event. It was surprising to see reports that the Jewish division of the EDL had shown up at the meeting as I thought they’d been ejected from that noxious organisation for being too extreme. Perhaps they’ll set up there own Israeli Defence League instead: which would probably be more honest, and would cause less confusion about what to call them now.
The concerted Zionist campaign to smear the Middle East Monitor (MEMO) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) failed dismally last night as the two groups co-hosted one of their most successful public events to date. The topic up for discussion was “Complicity in Oppression – Does the Media Aid Israel?” The panellists consisted of Prof. Greg Philo who discussed his new book “More Bad News from Israel” (an excellent academic analysis of the media’s skewed coverage of news coming out of Palestine-Israel); Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East correspondent, and Abdel Barri Atwan, expert Palestinian commentator on the Middle East. The discussion was chaired by Victoria Brittain, former associate foreign editor of the Guardian.
Prof. Greg Philo, co-author of Bad News from Israel and More Bad News from Israel
Tim Llewellyn, former BBC Middle East correspondent
Abdel Bari Atwan, Editor of the London-based al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper
P U L S E 
Thanks for posting this, Dave. Enjoyed all three videos. Thanks also for your Stumbles over the years.
Prof Philo said activists on either side usually get the facts straight on the occupation, but the majority of ordinary people surveyed have a huge hole in their understanding which exactly mirrors Israel’s public relations template.
In that context I had a chuckle watching a video translation of Atwan in 2010, provided by MEMRI no less, in which Atwan claims, too excitedly for BBC perhaps, that Mubarak’s government is helping Israel against Palestinians. http://t.co/1Y2A5qq
Now that Murarak’s going to trial, we can clearly see Atwan’s nothing but a bug-eyed propagandist who spouts all kinds of lies just to make Israel look bad. Can’t have someone like that on BBC, now can we. Thanks for the translation MEMRI.
Opps after another glance I saw the MEMRI vid was posted in 2010, but Atwan was speaking in 2004. That’s how long MEMRI have been banging that drum that Atwan’s a terrorist.
Tim Llewellyn is excellent (as are the other two). Every J School student at Columbia needs to watch this segment AT THE VERY LEAST.
Abdel Bari Atwan is really entertaining.
Self obsessed. For Bari it is all about the big I
re: 3rd video, Abdel Bari Atwan, answering the rhetorical question Amnesty international asked.
It’s relevance today is exemplified by mvRachel Corrie’s lack of media interest/exposure.
After being pressured by those wishing for mission failure, with their offer of escort to Ashdod port, the ppl, humanitarians + crew issued a mission statement.
Realistic Bird’s Silver Lining blog posted an article from a Mayasian newspaper, reporting on the 9 day stranding, negotiations, refusal to use land crossing b/c only 40% of previous flotilla humanitarian made it to Gazans. While the rest rotted at borders, spoiling and deteriorating;controlled by Isr./US whim.
Ultimately the Flotilla’s mission is to break the Gazan sea blockade, end siege and imprisonment of nearly two million undefended people.
Video had much info I was unaware of re.tactics to block knowledgeable Middle Easterners from air waves.
And the glass of water anecdote was priceless in ref to tv goals, tactics to create & enforce vicious stereotypes & racism. tnx
Although this event was held at the Amnesty building, it had nothing to do with AI. None of AI personnel were present. So don’t accrue any responsibility or kudos to them for this event. Given their past stance on Palestinian human rights, they certainly don’t deserve any credit.