AP dominates coverage of exceptional genocide hearings targeting Israel

MIKE CORDER, ALEKS FURTULA, MARK CARLSON AND RAF CASERT

AP’s team in The Hague dominated coverage of the International Court of Justice hearings into South Africa’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians, thanks to reporters’ expertise in international law and solid planning and coordination across continents.

Across two intense days and under close global scrutiny, AP’s team in The Hague dominated coverage of the tribunal looking into South Africa’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. Expertise in international law, knowledge of sensitive geopolitics and solid planning and coordination across continents contributed to AP’s strong showing.

Corder’s intricate knowledge of the international courts put AP ahead, including explainers the week before and the opening day of the hearing. Furtula’s deep experience covering the courts allowed for a comprehensive but flexible video plan with video journalists and LiveU mobile video units in key places well ahead of time. Both allowed AP to provide colleagues in other regions and our customers with detailed information about the unfolding of the hearings and access. Carlson’s sharp eyes and creativity allowed him to capture exclusive coverage of a powerful exchange by pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters outside the courthouse that summed up the high emotion of the first day. Casert’s quick and steady hand anchoring the stories allowed AP to speak with authority while Corder focused on the courtroom. And crucially, the teamwork with Tia Goldenberg, Isabel Debre and other colleagues in the Middle East, as well as Gerald Imray in South Africa, allowed AP to tell this highly sensitive story with fairness and inclusion, reflecting points of views from around the world.

AP’s coverage was front and center on customer websites and broadcasts around the world for two days straight. AP ran more than a dozen videos of the hearings and protests and reactions around the world. Video edits from The Hague alone scored more than 5,000 hits, and the live coverage over two days earned a staggering 3,300 hits. The top five videos on APNews on Jan. 11 were all from The Hague. The text stories with photos were among the top stories viewed both by customers and online. The New York Times was among customers featuring all formats of AP coverage on its website as the hearings unfolded.

For teaming up to tell the story of a case at The Hague that struck at the heart of Israel’s national identity, Corder, Furtula, Carlson and Casert share Best of AP — First Winner.