Journalistic Norms on Telegram: Ethical Dilemmas Covering the 2023–2025 Israel-Hamas War

The rise of social media challenges traditional journalistic norms and routines, prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes journalism and giving rise to a new generation of journalists who face these emerging challenges. This study explores the ethical standards and journalistic norms upheld by alternative news channels on Telegram, mainly as they report on significant events such as the Israel-Hamas war. It examines how content creators on these channels navigate the complex dilemmas that arise in wartime reporting and the extent to which they adhere to traditional journalistic practices and ethical guidelines that are prevalent among mainstream journalists in Israel. This study analyzes the content of these channels and compares their practices with established ethical codes. The findings reveal a complex picture: while some channels adhere to traditional standards, such as fact-checking and source protection, others prioritize immediacy and sensationalism, potentially at the expense of accuracy and ethical considerations.