Mediated Negotiations: A Case Study of a Transcultural Exchange between Lebanon and Israel

Speaking under duress: visual and verbal elements of personal and political messages in captive videos

“…Publication of captive videos displays tension on a continuum between the public agenda that is oriented toward the future (McCombs, 2004; Walgrave and Van Aelst, 2006) and shaping collective memory which is oriented toward the past (Lang and Lang, 1989; Tenenboim-Weinblatt, 2011).…”

“…Videos of captives are valuable as an informative news text; however, they may also contain narrative and cultural values (Tenenboim-Weinblatt, 2011). On one hand, captive videos are of exceptionally high news value.…”

“…Like a news text, the videos have the capacity to shape public opinion and decision-making based on normative standards of balance and rationality (Atwater, 1987; Meeske and Javahen, 1982; Jackson, 1990; Paletz and Schmid, 1992). On the other hand, captive videos may constitute a fascinating component as a narrative and myth (Tenenboim-Weinblatt, 2011). They represent a cultural event that has the power to unite the public because of its mythic qualities (Tenenboim-Weinblatt, 2013).…”

“…Accordingly, captive videos may construct and reproduce stories and myths that affirm the group’s values and view of the world (Tenenboim-Weinblatt, 2011). Captive videos can be understood as the effort to set out an alternative to the formative myths of heroism, sacrifice and bereavement (Barthes, 1974).…”