[ecrea] New book -- Reporting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

With apologies for this self-promotion, and for any cross-posting, I
wanted to let you know that my new book, /Headlines from the Holy Land:
Reporting the Israeli-Palestinian conflict/, has just been published by
Palgrave MacMillan.

Some information, and reviews, follow. You can see more – and read the
introduction, and part of the first chapter – on the Palgrave website,
here
http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/headlines-from-the-holy-land-james-rodgers/?K=9781137395122 

.

Best regards,

James Rodgers

Tied by history, politics, and faith to all corners of the globe, the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict fascinates and infuriates people across the
world. Based on new archive research and original interviews with
leading correspondents and diplomats, /Headlines from the Holy Land/
explains why this fiercely contested region exerts such a pull over
reporters: those who bring the story to the world. Despite decades of
diplomacy, a just and lasting end to the conflict remains as difficult
as ever to achieve. Inspired by the author's own experience as the BBC's
correspondent in Gaza from 2002-2004, and subsequent research, this book
draws on the insight of those who have spent years observing the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Starting from a historical perspective, it
identifies the challenges the conflict presents for contemporary
journalism and diplomacy, and suggests new ways of approaching them.

At a time when reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is under
unprecedented scrutiny, James Rodgers provides an essential and
insightful historical perspectiveon the long "war of words" behind a
major conflict of our time.
Rodgers' book is essential reading for those seeking a greater
understanding of the difficult dynamics behind reporting -
and resolving conflicts.

Lyse Doucet

Chief International Correspondent, BBC News

/Headlines from The Holy Land/is an impressively, innovative form of
history as media history, looking at one of the most complex stories of
our age through the imperfect, shifting but revelatory perspectives of
the many journalists who covered this often compelling tale as it
unfolded, from its 1946 roots through the various wars and propaganda
battles fought in the streets of Gaza or the networks of social media.
James Rodgers is an insightful, empathetic and rigorous guide to how
journalism struggled – often heroically – to tell one of the most brutal
and difficult of international stories.

Charlie Beckett, Director, Polis

Department of Media and Communications,

London School of Economics

James Rodgers is honestly direct about the challenges and pressures that
makes reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict unique amongst the
myriad of crises faced by international journalists; something he was
uniquely placed to do as the only western correspondent based in the
Gaza Strip in the tumultuous years immediately after 9/11.  But what
makes this book so refreshing and incisive is that this account of
reporting on this most intractable yet consequential conflict is the
work of someone with the benefit of having been an experienced foreign
correspondent but who is now writes with the rigour of an academic’s eye
on how our world is reported.  In doing so, Rodgers leaves very few
stones unturned, from the war over terminology and language, to the
increasing role of religion in a crisis centred on the a small area
brimful of contested holy sites and he is framed it in a way that has
context, careful analysis and is accessible to all those who either want
to understand how this war which continues to have a major international
impact is reported and to those who want to report it themselves.

Rageh Omaar

International Affairs Editor, ITV News


Reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict often generates as much
controversy as the issue itself. James Rodger's book is rare for
approaching the subject of how the story has been told by Western
journalists over the decades, with an open mind & an academic rigour. It
combines detailed research and candid insights from many of the region's
seasoned correspondents with an accessible style that keep the pages
turning. With so many thoroughly biased self-appointed media watch dogs
out there it's refreshing to read something that genuinely attempts to
tackle the job of reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with
intelligent thoughtfulness.'

Paul Danahar

Author of 'The New Middle East: the world after the Arab Spring'

The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been more intensively
covered by the media, and for a longer period, than any other in recent
times. In this fascinating book, James Rodgers tells us the story of the
story. He shows how, as the struggle came to be as much about meaning,
language, and perception as about bullets, bombs, or negotiations,
reporters were under constant pressure from two sides seeking to control
the narrative to their own advantage. He shows, too, how they brought
their own prejudices and national viewpoints to the story, and how,
nevertheless, good reporting did emerge and was, as it remains, vital in
sustaining what informed public opinion there is on the dire state of
affairs in the Holy Land of the title.

Martin Woollacott, commentator on international affairs and former
foreign editor, /The Guardian/

‘An important and necessary book.’

Patrick Cockburn, /The Independent/

*James Rodgers, PhD*

*Senior Lecturer in Journalism*

Department of Journalism

City University London
Northampton Square
London
EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 7040 3593

Twitter: @jmacrodgers

http://www.city.ac.uk/arts-social-sciences/journalism

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