Dror Shternshus
Minority-free TV
Television has potential of making us more tolerant to others
Tolerance is among democracy's major values and is at the root of our attitude to others, be they different or members of a minority group. In Hebrew, the word for "tolerance" is derived from the same root as "suffering" – this isn't coincidental, as tolerance means being able to suffer in order to prevent an even more serious damage to the objectives of the other. This "other" comprises the handicapped, Israelis of Ethiopian decent, Russian-speaking Israelis, the Arab-Israeli minority, and more.
Israel is home to about 300 non-profit groups that directly or indirectly deal with promoting tolerance. The Education Ministry undertakes action, even if inadequate, in order to educate for tolerance. The Knesset has also dealt with this issue in several ways, although it has not yet reached the bare minimum. Yet the first in the line of disappointments is the Israeli media, which are unwilling to suffer a little in order to advance tolerance by much.
How many Arab reporters are there in Israel's television channels? How many Arab editors are there in the press? Almost zero (and I'm not talking about, of course, those who cover Arab or Palestinian affairs and certainly not about Arabic-language niches.) Even when it comes to random interviewees, in matters unrelated to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the number of Arabs is completely negligible. Even when it comes to other minority groups, the figures are too embarrassing to present.
In children channels, which most of our kids watch and are influenced by, little Ahmed and Muhammad are absent, as are deaf or blind children, even if they are very talented. Those channels ignore many others as well. I would be glad if my children learned, starting from their first day in front of the television, that an Arabic accent and kids named Arafat or Nasser are part of their environment, so that their customs become interesting and not odd.
If this interaction will continue as my children grow older in front of the TV and Internet, these different Arab children will turn into potential friends instead of potential enemies. No less important, if Arab-Israeli children view themselves as part of the Israeli social circle there's a high likelihood they will grow up feeling a greater sense of belonging and be more attached to the country and all its citizens.
Not just a scary face
Imagine that ahead of winter, when all media interview doctors in order to provide the public with healthcare advice, they would interview more Arab doctors. After all, hospitals and clinics are filled with excellent specialists who are Arab. If the Israeli mothers concerned about their children's health would hear time and again an Arabic accent guiding them on how to take care of their kids – the Israeli-Palestinian neighbor would enjoy the image of a savior, not only a scary face.
Similarly, there are very talented Arab-Israeli legal experts that can provide legal interpretation that is no less interesting than Jewish lawyers who appear in the media every day. The same is true for academicians and others.
We would be more complete if our television would show our children and us that the handicapped – and even those who are seriously handicapped – are part of our environment. Because after all, even if Uri is a blind child, this doesn't mean he's also mentally challenged. Maybe he sees things that my son cannot see, and they will find a way to be interesting for each other and not fear the difference between them.
True, this may bring down the rating. Yes, it may even lower revenues. We can find even more reasons and excuses why not to open the media to the other and the different. "We couldn't find a suitable, fluent Arab"; "A children show must be happy" – and a thousand other excuses. This is a price (which I don't think is high) the media must pay in exchange for advancing tolerance. Providing a platform for minorities too – this is the "suffering" the media must take upon itself.
At first it will be difficult and demand more effort and tolerance on the part of the media, as well as the viewers, listeners, and readers. However, later on, integrating minorities and "different people" into the media, both as employees and as interviewees, will turn this into a normal, routine thing for all of us. And there, perhaps by publishing this message, maybe by calling on the media by using the media, we're already showing openness to addressing this challenge.
The writer is the Chairman of the "Agenda" organization for advancing social causes
