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Abstract:
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The purpose of the presentation is threefold. First, the presentation will illustrate the U.S. media bias in the Palestine-Israel conflict, via an analysis of the over-reporting of Israeli casualties and the under-reporting of Palestinian deaths in 2001 and 2004. Second, the presentation will demonstrate the influence of biased media reporting on American public opinion through an analysis of a series of public opinion polls conducted in the U.S. by Gallop, CNN, Pew Research Center, CBS News, ABC News, Ipsos/McClatchy, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, NBC News/Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek; to be contrasted with a YouGov poll conducted in the U.K. where media coverage of the conflict is more balanced. This presentation will also include an analysis of the misinformation presented to the American public prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and the consequences it had on public opinion and foreign policy. Third, the presentation will argue that the political dynamics in the U.S. are such that public opinion drives election results, and thus, public opinion is taken into consideration during the policy making process. U.S. public opinion, largely shaped by biased media, is in favor of Israel, which affects policy making toward Israel and Palestine; often to the detriment of Palestine and U.S. interests in the Middle East. In order to protect U.S. security interests and geo-strategic interests, it is vital that U.S. foreign policy toward Israel shifts to a more balanced position. Change in policy making toward Israel is unlikely unless it becomes favorable among voters and politicians; the first step is to provide more balanced reporting on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. |
