Isabel Smith, communications director for CAMERA, said the organization is in “crisis mode” in monitoring media for bias against Israel during the current Gaza invasion.
Photo by Debra Rubin
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January 20, 2009
In the wake of Israel’s incursion into Gaza, Isabel Smith has rarely been so busy. As the communications director for CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting), she is in full swing in helping to organize events and getting out information to counter what she sees as a media frenzy over the images of bloodied Palestinian schoolchildren and rubble-strewn streets.
“The whole organization has been in crisis mode,” said Smith in a Jan. 8 interview with NJJN. “We are trying to deal with the problem.”
Smith is also dealing with a new community, having moved from Los Angeles when her husband, Rabbi Aaron Benson, took over the pulpit at the East Brunswick Jewish Center in November.
Smith is charged with handling communications with broadcast outlets and Jewish media for the Boston-based CAMERA, which has established a niche in ferreting out what it sees as anti-Israel bias in the media.
Among her efforts was helping arrange a speaking engagement by David Horovitz, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post, scheduled to be held Jan. 19 at EBJC. The program is cosponsored by CAMERA, the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County, and Campus for Jewish Life.
‘Problems with facts’
Assessing the media coverage of the war in Gaza, Smith reserves her harshest comments for CNN. She characterized the cable network’s coverage as “horrific ” and “one-sided” and its failure to check facts “very egregious.”
On the other hand, Fox News Channel’s coverage has been “decent” and The New York Times, a frequent target for CAMERA, has been mixed.
“Sometimes you find the entire op-ed page is critical of Israel and is not balanced,” said Smith. “But, they’ve also had some good, balanced articles.”
Some media have tried to be fair but the fluidity of the situation has led to professional lapses.
“There are definitely a lot of problems with factual issues, but it’s a complicated and fast-moving story,” she added. “There’s a lot to get right. I don’t know if it’s intentional to present non-balanced pieces. When it’s such a fast-paced story, it’s hard to fact-check.”
Western media outlets have complained, however, that Israel has banned reporters from entering Gaza, despite an Israeli Supreme Court decision recommending the policy be overturned.
CAMERA monitors major media markets in the United States, Canada, England, Mexico, South America, and Spain.
“We count on local people to monitor the local outlets,” said Smith. “We teach people how to effectively interact with the local media.” CAMERA offers advice on handling perceived bias or inaccuracies, approaching the media, and enlisting others to their cause.
Her move back to the metropolitan area is something of a homecoming for Smith, who grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She holds a master’s degree in Russian history from Columbia University and had begun a doctorate in the subject when she switched gears and instead earned a graduate degree in film from the University of Southern California.
“I’ve had several scripts optioned but I’ve never had a film actually made,” said Smith.
Smith came to CAMERA following several other positions, including serving as public relations director for Paul Mitchell Systems hair and skin products.
Because of her fluency in Russian, Smith would also like to develop Israel advocacy programs with Russian Jews in the area.
For information on any of CAMERA’s programs or for help in developing media campaigns in schools, synagogues, or organizations, contact Smith at isabel@camera.org.
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