Publications often reprinted Israeli government statements verbatim, and the press believed the Israeli army's version of events. The majority of the foreign press was Israeli or Jewish, few of whom even traveled to the Occupied Territories. During the second intifada, the situation has been dramatically different. The local Palestinian electronic media have taken the place of the leaflets. Local radio and television stations broadcast communiqu s, interview politicians and local commanders, and provide up to date information to the public.
Local television covers the shelling of Palestinian communities.
Local TV stations have literally aimed their television cameras outside, pointed them at the area of shelling, and provided local viewers with an instant picture of the action on the ground. The existence of Arab satellite stations is perhaps the most important media development. With correspondents on the ground and satellite hookups from Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Gaza, these stations are able to show the uprising live in 24-hour, nonstop transmission. The result of this satellite blitz is twofold. It provides local Palestinians with up to date news information and opinions, while simultaneously offering the Arab world and Arabs in the diaspora a full diet of the daily events.