Isareli psychologist Irwin Mansdorf argues at Jweekly that improving Israel’s image is the responsibility of every Jewish citizen given that, according to him, the Israeli government does such a poor job of hasbara (public relations). Criticizing the negative image of the Jewish state in the media, he argues that the Jewish community lacks a clear message to address the international community.

Mansdorf claims that some official spokespersons sound like “a cross between Attila the Hun and Genghis Khan,” while others seem remarkably Arab-friendly. Adding that the language of the media and de-legitimization of Israel in the public’s eye is based largely on emotions, Mansdorf argues that it is not possible to counter the impact of dramatic videos showing Arab families and their destroyed homes by promoting the wealthy and touristic aspects of Israel.

Mansdorf claims that Israel is perceived as morally illegitimate by many outside its borders, and Israel’s right to exist as an independent Jewish state is not universally recognized.

BBC’s headlines are allegedly promoting a negative image of Israel as well, claims Robin Sheperd, director of international affairs at the Henry Jackson Society in London on his blog. He argues that every BBC article paints Israel in a negative or problematic light, while none do so for the Palestinians.

Sheperd further denounces this media bias, claiming that the BBC failed to cover the naming of a square in the West Bank after Dalal Mughrabi, a Palestinian who killed 38 people, including 13 children, by setting off a bomb. Sheperd writes, “This is not journalism. It’s agitprop. And it’s got to stop.”

The Christian Science Monitor reported a recent gag order on Israeli media sources, which has raised questions by advocates of civil liberties about the limits on the freedom of the press.

The gag order was issued by a Tel Aviv court following the accusation that Anat Kam, a former soldier-turned-journalist, along with Haaretz military writer Uri Blau, blew the whistle on the “Israeli military’s scheme to violate an Israeli Supreme Court order trying to limit assassinations of West Bank Palestinians,” writes Eileen White Read for True Slant.

"This is part of a wider attack on freedom of speech in recent years, which includes harassment of demonstrators as well as court orders of censorship," announced Dan Yakir, chief legal counsel for the Association for Civil Right in Israel (ACRI). "These are worrying signs. It shakes fundamental notions of civil liberties in a democracy."

In other Israeli media news, Arab news has an opportunity to expand its market within Israel's borders. Despite a 1.3 million-strong Arab-Israeli community, the Jewish state does not have Arabic-language television channels. However, Haaretz reports that the Israel's Communication Ministry's Council for Cable and Satellite Broadcasting issued funding for an Arabic channel.

Although a similar bid was issued in 2004, the Ananei Tikshoret Company returned its license a year later. The 2010 funds will include more incentives to ensure that a channel will be established successfully. The winner of the offer will be required to pledge half of the sum required in the 2004. According to Haaretz, this fund is also open for foreign investors, including those from countries that do not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

The offer also includes certain conditions, such as a significant amount of Arabic-language content. After three years of operation, the channel must broadcast at least one daily newscast in Arabic.

The channel will greatly benefit the Arab community in Israel, which previously relied on alternative news sources. However, the council's chairman conceded that this effort should have been launched earlier. “The fact that we finally got round to concluding such a channel was needed doesn't lessen the oversight and the criticism [for not launching it sooner],” said Nitzan Hen.

Arabs in the Palestinian territories, however, are seeking to subvert the traditional media channels to gain access to a football match. Many of them are unable to afford access to channels like Al-Jazeera Sports, which broadcasts the matches on television.

Private Palestinian stations intended to re-air a Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match, according to Ma'an News Agency. An anonymous employee of a private Palestinian TV station spoke of its determination to air the match. “We will broadcast the game,” said the employee, speaking of offering access to sports to those who were not wealthy. "We will subvert the law exceptionally for this match [Real Madrid vs. Barcelona]. I don't think that Al-Jazeera, a wealthy channel, will chase after the Palestinians because they watched a game they love!" he added.