"Also, the language in this paragraph makes it seem as if the person with the nail gun is a pro-Palestinian protestor, when, in fact, it is a person threatening the protestors. You should rephrase, 'when a man allegedly brought a nail gun to a pro-Palestinian protest and fired it at demonstrators,' as 'when a bystander threatened pro-Palestinian protestors with a nail gun, firing it at demonstrators'."
March 19, 2024
To:
Phil Tsekouras, CP24 Reporter, CTV News Reporter
Linda Oland, CP24, Director of News & Information Programming
Chris Fox, Managing Digital Producer, CP24
Dear Mr. Tsekouras, Ms. Oland, Mr. Fox,
I am writing with concerns about the article published yesterday, March 18, entitled, “Vaughan to consider bylaw that prohibits protests within 100 metres of places of worship.” I have a number of important critiques of the coverage, and one important correction:
- First, I must ask that the title of the piece be updated to reflect the fact that it is no only “places of worship” which would be targeted under the new bylaw.
- Next, I am concerned that, although Del Duca mentions both synagogues and mosques (as well as other sites) being targeted by protestors, the article only includes comments from members of Canada’s Jewish community. The article also mentions an incident where pro-Palestinian protestors were threatened, but the article makes not effort to get their comment. A diversity of interviewees is a key element of professional reporting, and I believe CP24 could have done much better in this instance.
In addition, the article’s summary of the protest last week in Thornhill was highly misleading. The article says:
At least one of the demonstrations Del Duca referenced Monday occurred earlier this month outside of a synagogue in Thornhill, when a man allegedly brought a nail gun to a pro-Palestinian protest and fired it at demonstrators. No injuries were reported.
First, it is important to note that, given that there is ample video from the protest showing the accused man brandishing a nail gun at protestors, the article needn’t say that the he “allegedly” brought the gun. The man has been arrested and charged for the incident. You can see the CP24 news report about the charges laid here.
Also, the language in this paragraph makes it seem as if the person with the nail gun is a pro-Palestinian protestor, when, in fact, it is a person threatening the protestors. You should rephrase, “when a man allegedly brought a nail gun to a pro-Palestinian protest and fired it at demonstrators,” as “when a bystander threatened pro-Palestinian protestors with a nail gun, firing it at demonstrators.”
I ask you to make the appropriate corrections, and ask that you give better attention in your reporting to future such situations. Should you wish, feel free to contact me at 438-380-5410.
Sincerely,
Thomas Woodley, MPA
President, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East