On June 26, 2024, a CJPME MAP volunteer sent a letter to CBC News to ask them to specify that the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is a pro-Israel advocacy organization in an article about MPs reviewing the new appointment of the Human Rights Commissioner.
While we have regularly taken issue with media outlets describing CIJA as a “Jewish organization” or “Jewish advocate,” it is the first time that a media outlet has made a change following one of our letters.
Following our ask, CBC decided to add additional context. They added the following words: “whose mission is ‘to preserve and protect Jewish life in Canada through advocacy’” and a link to CIJA’s website.
While this is not the exact change we requested, it is a significant step in the right direction. It sets a precedent for challenging the inaccurate description of organizations such as CIJA.