Headline ignores Israel’s responsibility in strike killing Hamas official

"I understand that a headline needs to be attention-grabbing for the reader. However, headlines also frame a story for a reader and influence their perspective even if they read the article in its entirety.  Your headline provided inadequate context in terms of Israel’s role in the killing of Mr. Arouri and the potential impact of the killing occurring on Lebanese soil."


January 3, 2024

To:

Bassem Mroue, Reporter, Associated Press

Abby Sewell, News Director, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Associated Press

Kareem Chehayeb, Reporter, Associated Press 

Dan Taylor, Managing Editor, CTV New

Dear Mr. Mroue, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Chehayeb, and Mr. Taylor,

I am writing on behalf of CJPME (https://www.cjpme.org/) in response to A Hamas official killed in Beirut strike had been on Israel's hit list for years that appeared online on CTV News on January 2, 2024.

I understand that a headline needs to be attention-grabbing for the reader. However, headlines also frame a story for a reader and influence their perspective even if they read the article in its entirety.  Your headline provided inadequate context in terms of Israel’s role in the killing of Mr. Arouri and the potential impact of the killing occurring on Lebanese soil.  

Surely, the more pertinent and newsworthy item for Canadians is not that Mr. Arouri was on ‘Israel’s hit list for years’ but rather that there is fear that Israel’s attack on Lebanese soil might escalate simmering tensions and engage other countries in the region? You mention it towards the end of your article but it was disappointing that it was not highlighted in your headline and given more prominence in your article

The AP headline in a similar article by Mr. Mroue and his colleagues, along with all other news reports of the killing of Mr. Arouri, were much more precise in setting the context for the content of the news report and naming the apparent role of Israel in the killing.

I ask that you change the headline to wording that reads something like this: ‘Hamas official killed in apparent Israel strike stokes fears of increasing tensions in the region.’

Canadians will also be better served if future reports by CTV News Channel provide headlines that match the content.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

Debbie Hubbard

CJPME:Okanagan