On April 3rd, 2017 FES Israel together with Sikkuy, The Seventh Eye and Tel Aviv University invited journalists, scientists and the interested public to the conference “Creating a Change: Representation of Arab Experts in the Hebrew Media” at Tel Aviv University. During the conference the “Representation Index” which has now been up and running for a year was presented. The “Representation Index” evaluates the representation of Arab experts in information programs of the five main Hebrew radio and TV channels in Israel quantitatively as well as context related. A survey conducted at the beginning of 2016 showed that Arab experts were significantly underrepresented in the Hebrew media with a share of about 2.5%. One year after the creation of the “Representation Index” the representation of Arab experts has increased to about 3.5% in on the average and to about 6.0% in selected TV and radio shows. The journalists invited to the conference at the Tel Aviv University debated in two discussion panels remaining obstacles which impede an increase of the representation of Arab-Palestinian citizens in the Hebrew media as well as possibilities to improve the current situation. The FES Israel is happy about the success of the “Representation Index” as well as the successful conference and hopes that this is another step towards a shared society in Israel.
