Covering the Shi`a : English Press Representation of the Lebanese Shi`a 1975–1985

Often demonized by the Western media and press, Hezbollah’s origins are rooted in activities of the Lebanese Shi`a in the late 1970s and early 80s. Covering the Shi`a: English Press Representation of the Lebanese Shi`a 1975-1985 chronicles how the English-language press and media represented the most consequential group in Lebanon to Western audiences during the critical period of 1975-1985. Focusing on three of the most prominent English-language newspapers at that time, the book outlines how the Western media frequently disregarded the Shi`i civil rights movement in Lebanon. Conflating that movement with other Arab independence campaigns, the Western media missed key aspects and the dynamics at work in the Lebanese Shi`i community. Additionally, in failing to understand and report the nature of the transnational networks that supported the Shi`i community in Lebanon, the resultant news narrative reported in the English-language media was at odds with the narratives harbored by the Lebanese Shi`a themselves. In order to gain an understanding of the operations of Lebanese Hezbollah today, and the current media coverage of the organization, this book offers insights on the origins of Shi`a resistance and how one can evaluate the group today. Contents A Note on Transliteration Acknowledgments Introduction 1 Musa al-Sadr and the Shi`i Narratives in Lebanon, 1975–1985 2 The Shi`a Expulsion from Nab`a 3 The Effects of the Iranian Revolution on the Lebanese Shi`a 4 The Israeli Invasion of Lebanon 1982 5 Epilogue Conclusion Bibliography Index About the Author This book contrasts Western media coverage of the Lebanese Shià with their own narrative constructed during the 1975-1985 time frame. Robert Tomlinson reveals how the coverage of a critical population in Lebanon was misrepresented and how that misrepresentation haunts Western media coverage of the group today