1.  List the three major news stories about atrocities committed by Israel that were later proved false.  Explain how each was proved false.

2.  Had you heard of any of these stories and believed them to be true?  Ask your parents or grandparents if they believed any/all of these stories to be true.  Write their reaction to the knowledge that these senstational stories are false.

3.  What might be a problem with publishing a retraction of a sensational story?

4.  What reasons does Ms. Gutmann give for the lack of reporting on Palestinian brutality?

5.  What reasons does Ms. Gutmann give for why U.S. reporters have shown little interest in doing human-interest stories on the citizen-soldiers of the Israeli Defense Force?  (all Israeli citizens, men and women, are required to serve time in the military - it is not voluntary)

6.  According to Ms. Gutmann, how is the problem of press bias in the Middle East being solved?  Do you agree with this method?  Explain your answer.

7.  From what source do you get your news: TV, newspapers, radio, internet news/blogs?  Do you believe you get a balanced picture of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?  Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE QUESTION:  Do a search to find retractions of the following stories in the mainstream media:
--For a report on Tuvia Grossman's story, click here.
--For an article on who shot Mohammed al-Dura, click here.
--For documentation of false reporting on Jenin, click here.
--For general examples of false reporting on Israel, click here.