Researching Controversial Topics
Researching controversial topics can be difficult! In order to to find reliable information start by getting a solid background understanding of the topic, then proceed by finding a variety of sources to get a big picture. Controversial issues are often very nuanced, so when a source is offering especially extreme viewpoints, be critical and do some digging!
Controversial topics can lead even trustworthy publications to make mistakes, use loaded language, and complicate the message. Journalists are people, and even if their goal is to provide facts in a neutral manner, bias will undoubtedly seep in subconsciously (or consciously!). A good way to avoid confusion is to find articles and information from several sources to fully understand the topic.
Below you'll find sources that can offer a background to the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, sources to help make sense of the current (October 2023) war and previous crises, and some tips for avoiding misinformation on social media.
Background Research
- Arab Israeli ConflictFrom the The Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World.
- Palestinian StatehoodFrom Gale Global Issues Online Collection
- 9 questions about Israel-Gaza you were too embarrassed to askThis Washington Post article is from 2012, but has some useful background.
- An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on EarthIn this 2014 article from The Tablet, a former AP correspondent explains how and why reporters get Israel so wrong, and why it matters
- 1913: Seeds of ConflictThis hour-long documentary looks at the moment of transformation when Ottoman rule in Palestine was still strong, the identities of Jerusalemites were fluid, and few could imagine the conflict that would dominate the region for the next century. Until now, scholars have focused on the British Mandate as the matchstick of the Middle East conflict. Breaking new ground, this film focuses on the moment when Arab and Jewish nationalism first made contact, and the seeds of conflict were first sewn.
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Books to Check Out
The Palestine-Israeli Conflict: a beginner's guide by A thorough and accessible account of the Palestine-Israeli conflict past, present and future, this introduction is jointly authored by an American rabbi and professor of Judaism, and a Palestinian lecturer on Islam giving full vent to the emotions behind the two sides of the debate without avoiding any issues, however confrontational and conflict-ridden.
The Iron Cage by The story of the Palestinian search to establish a state begins in the era of British control over Palestine and stretches between the two world wars.
My Promised Land by An authoritative and personal narrative history of the State of Israel, by one of the most influential journalists writing about the Middle East.
War in 2023
- Israel-Hamas WarThe Guardian's Explainer answers basic questions about the start of the 2023 War.
- What We knowOctober 9, 2023 coverage from the NYTimes
- Israel judicial reform explainedUnderstand the political turmoil within Israel leading up to the war.
- Council of Foreign RelationsArticles on the October 2023 Israel-Hamas war including "What is Hamas" and "Israel's War on Hamas: What to Know"
Sources
- Israel vs. HamasIf you "do not follow every turn in the Mideast and often find it bewildering," this "newsletter ... will lay out the basic arguments that the two sides are making."
- Middle East Institute: Program on Palestinian-Israeli AffairsThe program examines the future of Palestinian politics and the Palestinian national movement as well as the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the conflict in the stability of the broader Middle East.
- What is the U.S. Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan member organization, think tank, and publisher.
Misinformation on Social Media
Social media offer many people a powerful way to share information. Marginalized groups especially have used these tools to get important ideas heard. Social media can also make spreading misinformation very easy!
Use these questions to guide you in figuring out if the posts you are viewing are reliable.
- Is the post so extreme that it’s hard to believe?
- Does the post share or cite where they got their image/video/quote?
- Have you seen the same information backed up by a reputable news source?
- Who is posting? What is the purpose of their account? I.e. are they an activist or journalist, or are they a lifestyle influencer or celebrity?
- If they are using images or videos, are you sure they haven’t been altered or taken out of context?
Finally, find people to follow out of your bubble. It can be eye opening to follow activists, citizens, politicians, and others who don't share the same views as you.
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