Unveiling Counter-Narratives: The Impact of Citizen Journalism via Social Media on the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Abstract

The Israel-Palestine conflict has traditionally been portrayed by mainstream media through dominant narratives that often align with specific viewpoints and agendas. In this context, the rise of citizen journalism has introduced both challenges and opportunities by providing alternative perspectives and counter-narratives to mainstream representations. However, the precise impact and role of citizen journalism in shaping these counter-narratives during the Israel-Palestine confrontations remain underexplored and require further investigation. Therefore, this study aims to examine how citizen journalism is utilized to offer alternative perspectives on the mainstream media’s coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict and to influence public perception of products and services associated with Israel. The study finds that social media has amplified the reach of citizen journalism, serving as a platform for digital activism among Palestinians, and providing alternative narratives to those presented by mainstream media. This has enabled Palestinians to garner support from international allies, condemn the violence committed by Israeli military forces, and contribute to Israel's gradual loss in the battle of public opinion, thereby limiting the effectiveness of Israeli propaganda in both mainstream and new media.