Comments for The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees

Caption: PRX default Piece image

This piece belongs to the series "Palestinian Refugee Youth Radio"

Produced by Ashraf Semmiah

Other pieces by Freedom Radio Project

Summary: Ashraf interviews Um Sameeh, his grandmother, who tells the story of her experience during the 1948 Nakba.
 

Caption: PRX default User image

Review of The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees

The sampel is speed up sonds like a chick monk
could not listen

The MP2 format that PRX requires is stupid

User image

Review of The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees

The Nakba (the term Palestinians use to describe the 1948 Arab/Israeli war) is a crucial event which has had enormous influence on world events, as such, it's a story which deserves attention. Unfortunately I think this report fails to add to our understanding of this event.
First of all, any story on such a complex subject requires some context, and even though these pieces are only 6 minutes, there was room at the top to do that.
Secondly it's imperative to give an accurate description of the historical events and the roles of the many different participants. Painting this as a Jewish/Palestinian Black/White story is incorrect and does not help the listener to understand this tragedy.
The speakers are eloquent in their description of their hardships, but the reporter must then step back to a position of neutrality.
I would also be very interested to hear more details of people's lives in the refugee camps. These details help listeners identify with the speakers. A more nuanced approach can only add to the power of the piece.
Also, the audio levels in the two items I listened to were all over the place and sometimes speakers were inaudible as a result.
The music could be toned down and used more sparingly.
Again, this is an important issue; I would like to hear more about it. I hope these producers continue to explore this perspective, but with a more thorough journalistic approach.

User image

Review of The Nakba and Palestinian Refugees

The reality of the testimony was sobering. I only had a superficial knowledge of the event that drove Palestinians out of their homes. To hear about it firsthand really brought home some of the injustices that have been done. It was great that you got primary sources like your Grandmother to make your point.

One major problem, however, was that I was not sure who was narrating, translating, or giving testimony. Has this whole story been translated including your narration? That got me lost in some parts of the story. You don’t want to do that to your listener. My suggestion is that (1) the narrator(s) stay with one language. (2) Take time in reading the script, because sometimes it sounded rushed. If that makes it too long for you, some clips can be shortened and deliver the same impact.

You did a great job. This was a great story that everyone should hear!