Journalism program launched in honor of Haaretz reporter Schiff

The Israel Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) will launch a six-month program for journalists called the Schiff Associates for Media and Security, Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken announced Monday at an evening in memory of the paper's recently deceased military correspondent, Ze'ev Schiff.

The program is intended for Haaretz newspaper's experienced diplomatic and defense correspondents. They will serve as research associates at the INSS in Tel Aviv and use the time to broaden their knowledge of national and security issues.

During the program, which was jointly initiated by INSS head Zvi Shtauber and Haaretz editor-in-chief David Landau, journalists will focus exclusively on their studies rather than working in journalism. They will also take part in the various INSS conferences and activities.

"Schiff charted a course of professional dedication, combining curiosity with the ability to see the broad picture. The program will preserve his professional legacy," Schocken said.

The memorial evening, which was held at Tel Aviv University, was organized by the INSS together with Haaretz, Army Radio and the Israel Defense Forces' Spokesman. It was hosted by Eitan Haber, and the speakers included former United States ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk, former Tel Aviv University president Professor Itamar Rabinovich and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Following the lectures, there was a symposium on the media, defense and society. The participants were Army Radio commander Avi Benayahu, journalist Nahum Barnea of Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel Press Council president and former Supreme Court justice Dalia Dorner, and Haaretz defense correspondent Amos Harel.

"If journalists follow [Schiff's] lead, the Press Council's tribunals will be out of work," Dorner said.

Harel recalled a talk with Schiff in which "I moaned about the pace of events in the intifada. Then he told me: Think of covering the events in Sinai, how hard it was then, with no mobile phones or beepers."