Review Needs to Clarify Facts

To the Editors:

After reading the article, “Professor Speaks Against Occupation” in the last edition, I feel The Oberlin Review needs to clarify a few statements that were presented as fact. Quoting the article, “Hasso detailed events that have been included in mainstream media coverage, including the killing of 120 paramedics and the deaths of journalists.” Since the beginning of this intifada approximately 17 Palestinian paramedics and doctors have been killed performing their duty (www.electronicintifada.net). While the death of those dedicated to saving lives represents the sheer darkness of this conflict, it is important that what is presented as fact is true. In the same line, tragically, Israeli forces killed Rafaele Ciriello while he was reporting on the conflict from Ramallah. Mr. Ciriello is the only journalist to be killed in the region since the beginning of this intifada (New York Times, Thursday, March 14, 2002).
Furthermore, as journalists is it ethically responsible to one, have someone directly associated with Students for a Free Palestine write an article on this subject, and two, have an article that is peppered with the language of an opinion piece/letter to the editor appear on the front page as news?
Ultimately, accurate reporting on casualties is only a small detail that can be corrected. However, I see the article as symptomatic of a much larger problem. In order for there to be a lasting peace in the region, Israelis and Palestinians must recognize the pain and hardship each has endured. Israelis must understand the need for a viable, autonomous Palestinian state, and Palestinians must understand the reality of Israel, and her need for security. Too often reporting on this conflict is shaded with a bias that hides the other side. Articles that fail to present both sides of an issue, or present biased accounts, often work against peace.
I hope the Review will clarify the above statements, respond to my questions, and work towards a more balanced style of reporting on this and other issues.

–Charles Schwartz
College senior

April 12
April 19

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