Jewish content in the media
The Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) has convened a diverse panel of media professionals to dissect the portrayal of Jewish issues across various platforms, including newspapers, television, and social media.
Naomi Levin, James Campbell, Julie Szego, Elahn Zetlin
The event, held on Monday at the Beth Weizmann Community Centre, featured an esteemed panel comprising:
- James Campbell, National Politics Editor at the Herald Sun
- Julie Szego, freelance writer and former columnist at The Age
- Elahn Zetlin, former video producer and editor at ABC
The panellists provided insights into the intricate dynamics of reporting on Jewish topics, highlighting challenges such as the limited understanding of Jewish organisations, the scarcity of Jewish voices within newsrooms, and the lack of prior engagement many journalists have with the Jewish community.
Audience members contributed to the dialogue by proposing proactive measures to enhance media representation, including fostering relationships with journalists and editors to bolster cultural literacy.
The discussion additionally examined broader media trends, such as the growing phenomenon of “parachute journalism,” editorial bias, and the emphasis on “clickbait” content that prioritises sales over accuracy.
The shift from traditional news outlets to algorithm-driven social media platforms was also scrutinised regarding its impact on public narratives and perceptions.
“James, Julie, and Elahn gave a strong and lively crowd a peek under the hood of modern Australian media,” said Naomi Levin, CEO of JCCV and panel moderator.
“We are grateful for their contributions to this vital conversation, especially at a time when media representation has real-world consequences for our community.”
Earlier in the evening, the Plenum voted to welcome two new member organisations: the Centre of Jewish Artists (COJA) and Melbourne Jewish Book Week (MJBW). COJA founder Romi Kupfer and MJBW board member Joe Reich introduced their organisations’ missions and current initiatives to the attentive delegates.
“The admission of COJA and MJBW broadens our representation in the vital area of arts and creativity,” expressed Philip Zajac, JCCV President. “We warmly welcome them to the JCCV family.”
During the open-floor session, delegates raised pressing concerns about the rise of antisemitism, including the Victorian Government’s lack of action against hate groups, problematic educational content in schools, and troubling protest behaviours. President Zajac reaffirmed JCCV’s commitment to robust advocacy and stressed the urgent need for direct, honest engagement with all levels of government.
