"First, you do not make clear that 10 “civilians” were killed, as is being widely reported. Instead, you note that 3 members of Islamic Jihad were killed and emphasize the deaths of their family members. At least 4 innocent children and 4 innocent women were killed. Further, you obscure that a well-known dentist, Dr. Jamal Khaswan, was killed along with his wife and 19-year-old son. All of this critical information is obfuscated by your reporting."
May 9, 2023
To:
Annette Hamm, Anchor, CHCH Morning Live
Tansy Ko, Producer, CHCH
Dear Ms. Hamm and Ms. Ko,
I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concern regarding your May 9 segment on an Israeli attack on Gaza that killed at least 10 civilians.
The transcript of your segment is as follows:
Israel's military says it’s killed three senior commanders of the militant Islamic Jihad group in air airstrikes. Palestinian health officials say 12 people were killed including the commanders and members of their families. 20 people were injured. The strikes hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza and a house in the southern city of Rafah. The air strikes mark the latest incident in more than a year of violence. More than 90 Palestinians and at least 19 Israelis and foreigners have been killed since January. Last week, the death of a Palestinian hunger striker in Israeli custody triggered cross-border fighting between Israeli and armed groups in Gaza in which one Palestinian man was killed.
There are serious issues with this account.
First, you do not make clear that 10 “civilians” were killed, as is being widely reported. Instead, you note that 3 members of Islamic Jihad were killed and emphasize the deaths of their family members. At least 4 innocent children and 4 innocent women were killed. Further, you obscure that a well-known dentist, Dr. Jamal Khaswan, was killed along with his wife and 19-year-old son. All of this critical information is obfuscated by your reporting.
I insist that you make an on-air correction to clarify that 10 innocent civilians were killed during Israel’s attack on Gaza.
Second, you stated that “The strikes hit the top floor of an apartment building in Gaza and a house in the southern city of Rafah.” According to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, “Israeli warplanes launched two missiles at the fifth floor of the Al-Dawli Building 1 in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of central Gaza City.” However, the building’s top floor was the 6th floor, which is where Dr. Khaswan and his family lived. The family died “as a result of a ceiling collapse.[1]” This is important context, as it shows how the Israeli military attack was at high risk of causing civilian deaths. In addition, your report failed to mention that there was a third site attacked, a house in Gaza City.[2]
I insist that during your on-air correction, you include the above pertinent information.
Finally, you state that “more than 90 Palestinians” have been killed this year. However, the number given by the Associated Press now stands at 105.
I insist that you include this updated tally during your on-air correction.
Thank you for considering making these important updates for your listeners. I am aware that not all context can be given in short segments, but I believe these are notable issues that warrant correction.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact me at 438-380-5410.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East
Director of Media Advocacy
[1] Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, “Israeli strikes on Gaza kill at least 13 Palestinians,” May 9, 2023, https://mezan.org/en/post/45884.
[2] The Canadian Press, “Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 3 senior militants, 10 others,” Associated Press, https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/world/israeli-strikes-in-gaza-kill-3-senior-militants-10-others/article_8e9adf41-9ca3-5a8a-b863-aa62fd51f6cd.html.