“I believe that websites like Al-Monitor will save freedom of the press because of the easy access they provide to information. This is an experiment that can ensure the future of journalism.” That prediction was made on Dec. 17 by Noam Lemelshtrich Latar, dean of the Sammy Ofer School of Communications at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, while on a panel marking the first anniversary of Al-Monitor’'s Israel Pulse.

The event took place at the Daniel Pearl International Journalism Institute at the School of Communications' academic center. Also participating on the panel were several columnists who write for Al-Monitor in Israel and professor Gadi Wolfsfeld, head of the graduate program at the IDC. The panel discussed the Internet as a platform to bring together journalists and others who shape public opinion from diverse — and sometimes hostile — countries, using Al-Monitor as a test case.

“I consider this to be a fascinating experiment,” said Lemelshtrich Latar in his opening remarks. He based his view on having spent the past four decades researching journalism. He told the panelists and students in the audience that he is considering conducting an organized study to track the consolidation and impact of the international website in the regional arena. He described Al-Monitor as a media tool that shatters old journalistic concepts and frameworks. “As an academic, I believe that Al-Monitor's attempt to build a bridge between people who shape public opinion in different countries and bring about change is intriguing. It is an especially positive phenomenon when the Internet is used to bring people together,” he added.

Journalists generally aren’t supposed to report about themselves, but in this particular case we thought it proper to take advantage of this milestone, marking the first anniversary of the founding of Al-Monitor Israel Pulse, to offer you a glimpse behind the scenes of this unique journalistic initiative, which you encounter every day.