Weekly Commentary: Civics 101 Exam On Right To Protest The News Media Failed
Dr. Aaron Lerner 31 July, 2020
Here's a pop quiz from Civics 101 on the democratic right to protest:
#1. When does the democratic right to protest include the right to block a
road or street without prior arrangement with the authorities?
A. If the protestors are from a powerful union.
B. If the protestors are sitting in wheelchairs.
C. If the protestors are expressing the position held by the majority of the
media.
D. All of the above.
E. None of the above.
#2. The noise abatement rules in Israel prohibit making loud noises within
urban areas after 23:00 on weekdays. Which of the following activities is
subject to this limitation during a protest taking place after 23:00?
A. Banging drums.
B. Blowing whistles.
C. Sounding trumpets.
D. Using megaphones
E. All of the above.
F. None of the above if the protestors are expressing a position supported
by the majority of the media.
#3. Under what circumstances can a protestor defecate on the sidewalk?
A. If the protestor served as a senior IDF officer and is expressing a
position supported by the majority of the media.
B. If the protestor is expressing a position supported by the majority of
the media.
C. None of the above.
#4. When is rock throwing considered peaceful protest?
A. Arabs throwing rocks at Israelis.
B. Protestor expressing a position supported by the majority of the media
throwing rocks at police.
C. All of the above.
D. None of the above.
One doesn't have to speculate how representatives of the mainstream Israeli
news media would score on this quiz.
Their coverage of protests over the past week reflected their answers to
these very same questions.
And they scored ZERO.
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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on Arab-Israeli relations
Website: www.imra.org.il
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