Summary: A radio documentary on Burj el-Shemali refugee camp, located on the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Tyre and home to upwards of 20 000 Palestinian refugees. Recorded in Burj el-Shemali, this documentary focuses on the present day political, economic & social situation facing the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
Stefan Christoff's half hour report on the plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon does little to create sympathy for the denizens of Burj el-Shemali.
No listener is interested in a poorly read, rather dry four minute intro. When we finally hear a Palestinian voice, his overmodulated Arabic is faded down, but not enough to hear the voice over.
The pace is slow, the interviews long and no attempt is made to create real context for the listener.
It must also be noted that this program is also coproduced by a group called "The Electronic Intifada". Considering the sensitivity of the issue amongst the American public, I would recommend stations find a more professionally produced, more balanced program for broadcast. However, precisely because the subject is so charged, good programs on Palestinian refugees are few and far between.
Three stars for the attempt to present little heard Palestinian voices on American radio. One star for the actual execution, leaving an average of two stars.
Comments for Burj el-Shemali Refugee Camp
Produced by Stefan Christoff
Other pieces by Stefan Christoff
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Jonathan Groubert
Posted on January 23, 2007 at 05:03 AM | Permalink
Review of Burj el-Shemali Refugee Camp
Stefan Christoff's half hour report on the plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon does little to create sympathy for the denizens of Burj el-Shemali.
No listener is interested in a poorly read, rather dry four minute intro. When we finally hear a Palestinian voice, his overmodulated Arabic is faded down, but not enough to hear the voice over.
The pace is slow, the interviews long and no attempt is made to create real context for the listener.
It must also be noted that this program is also coproduced by a group called "The Electronic Intifada". Considering the sensitivity of the issue amongst the American public, I would recommend stations find a more professionally produced, more balanced program for broadcast. However, precisely because the subject is so charged, good programs on Palestinian refugees are few and far between.
Three stars for the attempt to present little heard Palestinian voices on American radio. One star for the actual execution, leaving an average of two stars.