OIC workshop on Palestine issues’ media coverage to occur – Photo: Reuters

The Union of OIC News Agencies (UNA), an Islamic affairs journal founded by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is hosting a virtual workshop on media coverage of Palestinian issues.

Representatives of international organizations and member news agencies will participate. They will examine the provisions used by international media in covering events in the occupied Palestinian territories and assess them based on their adherence to the conditions of international law and respect of human rights.

Prominent news outlets face continued accusations of bias in their reporting of the conflict. The workshop aims to combat disinformation and subjectivity by establishing outlines for a comprehensive media guideline on terms related to the Palestinian-Israeli dispute. The main issue highlighted by UNA is the Western media’s choice in terminology, claiming that news reports favor sensationalism over objectivity.

Mohammed Abd Rabbo Al-Yami, UNA Acting Director-General, called on media professionals in Islamic countries to attend the workshop in hopes of opening dialogue. However, it is unlikely that the event will lead to effectual change, at least in the short term. The workshop is likely trying to make progress during a period of peace following a pledge by Israeli and Palestinian officials to de-escalate the security situation ahead of Ramadan, though many consider the pledge a temporary solution.