What do we teach our children?

Quality of educational video material Israeli-Palestinian conflict far below par

In the Netherlands, subsidized media outlets provide video content for children and young people aged 9 to 23. These media channels—NOS and NTR—have a legal obligation to be politically neutral and to provide reliable information. Every day, there is a broadcast of the NOS youth news program—target audience 9 to 13 years old—and NOS and NTR produce educational videos that serve as background information.

For this report, we analyzed 45 youth news programs and 35 educational videos produced to inform young people about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and in particular the war in Gaza.

We conclude that this material does not meet the official journalistic standards that apply, nor does it meet educational standards. Dutch youth are learning prejudice instead of critical thinking.

Especially in a time of growing anti-Semitism, it is important to provide young people with factual and balanced information about this conflict.