Fighting Words: How Arab and American Journalists Can Break Through to Better Coverage

In late 2005, two dozen Arab and American journalists gathered in Wisconsin to talk about how they cover each other’s worlds, and how they can do it better. Over three days, they discussed such topics as using loaded words like “terrorist” and “jihad,” showing provocative images, covering sensitive issues of religion, and handling pressure from governments and advertisers.

This ICFJ manual is an outgrowth of that conference. Written by an American and an Arab who participated in the discussions, it is designed to help journalists in both worlds think about how they can help minimize the misunderstandings between cultures that perpetuate conflict.

The conference and the manual were made possible by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Johnson Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Thomas S. Ewing and the Saudi Committee for the Development of International Trade.

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