The Media Accountability Project  

Softball article on Windsor Jewish Film Festival by the CBC should have included a diversity of viewpoints

"Journalists are expected to do more than just interview the proponents of a news development.  They are expected to seek alternative views, especially when it comes to something as emotional and intense as Palestine-Israel.  In this respect, Mr. Chen has fallen short in his professional obligations as a journalist."

June 18, 2024

To:

Dalson Chen, CBC News, Windsor

Nancy Waugh, CBC News, Senior Manager

Erin Noel, Managing Editor Ontario Smaller Markets 

 

Dear Mr. Chen, Ms. Noel, Ms. Waugh,

I am writing to express some concerns about the lack of diversity in an article by Mr. Chen presenting Windsor’s Jewish Film Festival (“Windsor Jewish Film Festival offers 'spark of hope in a very dark time',”)  While it’s obviously important to cover the festival and the excitement of the Windsor Jewish Community around the festival, it is also important to hear from other voices, and to see if there are other perspectives.

 

Notably:

  • During these fraught times regarding Israel and Palestine, CBC often interviews members of the pro-Israel community in reaction to events hosted by the pro-Palestinian community. I am perplexed as to why the CBC did not do the same thing here, and seek out the perspective of Palestinian groups to see who they felt about some of the films presented in the festival. 
  • The article also quotes from representatives of the festival who suggest that the situation between Israel and the Palestinians is “complex” and that nobody should “simplify” what’s going on. However, there are others in the Windsor community who likely believe that there is nothing particularly complex about the oppressive realities of many in Palestine, given that international experts accuse Israel of genocide and apartheid against Palestinians. 

 

Journalists are expected to do more than just interview the proponents of a news development.  They are expected to seek alternative views, especially when it comes to something as emotional and intense as Palestine-Israel.  In this respect, Mr. Chen has fallen short in his professional obligations as a journalist. 

Should you wish to discuss further, you can reach me at 438-380-5410.

Sincerely,

Thomas Woodley, MPA

President, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East

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