By Claire Schnatterbeck
RAMALLAH, WEST BANK—On Thursday, July 13th, students from the International Field Program-Palestine program visited the office of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), Palestine’s public national news organization. The organization produces radio and television with the goal to promote Palestinians “basic rights to liberation, independence, and the establishment of its independent state on the homeland.”
With that mission, PBC produces news, cultural programming, and entertainment for Palestinians at home and in the diaspora. While visiting, students met the editor-in-chief of the Palestine TV news department to discuss the organization's impact on Palestinians, but also the challenges it faces as a national media outlet under ongoing Israeli occupation. The editor-in-chief responded to students' questions about being a national news source countering a narrative controlled by the occupying force. Much of PBCs reporting focuses on the actions of Israeli forces and settler colonizers on Palestinians. PBC has offices in cities all over Palestine in order to report timely news about the occupation. However, its reporters and cameras are often targeted by Israeli forces. The offices have even been attacked and raided, including the old Ramallah office, which was bombed in 2002.
During the tour, IFP students also got to see the TV sound stages and radio recording studios. Students spent the most time visiting with the International Broadcast department (PBI), a small group of journalists who create and translate content into seven languages, including English. Their content is geared towards Palestinians in the diaspora, as well as the people living in places where Palestinians end up. The PBI team took the time to discuss with the IFP students about their decision to visit Palestine. They noted that understanding an American perspective of Palestine helps them create social media postings and tell stories that will spread awareness. Osama Nazzal, the head of PBI, emphasized the importance of creating content that resonates with American audiences in order to not only educate about the reality of life in Palestine, but create solidarity.
IFP participate and Columbia University undergraduate student Claire Schnatterbeck is completing an internship at the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation during the program.