Profiles

Mohammed Ataya – Working toward Peace Through Media

by Kevin Nolan, Grants Manager, Internews MENA

Kevin Nolan/Internews

The Ramallah-based Wattan TV has been a force for positive change in Palestinian media. This past September the station received a grant from Internews Network to support the development of five new programs and has participated in several of workshops and in-house trainings. Kevin Nolan, Grants Manager for Internews Network in the West Bank/Gaza, sat down with the Marketing Manager for Wattan TV, Mohammed Ataya, to discuss the relationship between the station and the local community.

Tell me about the vision of Wattan TV.

Wattan TV was founded to provide the Palestinian people with television that is national, independent, and secular. We have a wide variety of programming, including shows that focus on local news and other issues that are affecting the communities. We also believe that the promotion of non-violence is important. Internews Network has been very helpful to us in this process of becoming a modern media station. 

Why is it so important for the station to remain secular?

The people of Palestine are quite diverse. There are differences in religion, with Christians and Muslims living together. There are political differences, between Hamas, Fatah, and others. Some of these political organizations even have their own factions. Because of this, we think it is our responsibility to not align ourselves with one of them, but provide everyone with the news as it is.

What does Wattan TV offer the Palestinians that the major regional channels, namely Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, cannot?

As a homegrown Palestinian media outlet, we are able to offer our communities programs that focus on real Palestinian issues. Typically international channels air footage every night that shows fighting in Gaza or of an Israeli incursion into Nablus. While this is news, there is much more to Palestine. One program that Internews is supporting, and has been very successful for us, is called Life Tour. Each week this show features a regular Palestinian who has made remarkable achievements in such fields as art, music, or business. We believe that these aspects of Palestine are very important to show as well.

What role can Wattan TV play in the peace process?

In these times it is important that the Palestinian media report information in an accurate and timely fashion. For example, when President Bush was here a couple of weeks ago, we told one hundred percent of the story, both positive and negative aspects.

We also believe that it is important not to glorify violence, because we remain firmly committed to the idea that peace is the only road to a lasting solution with the Israelis.

What does 2008 have in store for Wattan TV?

Wow. We certainly have plans to make 2008 a big year for Wattan TV. We are hoping to be able to reach the entire West Bank. This is our dream, and we are making it happen.

All profiles