This language is problematic as labeling the region as an “eternal conflict” suggests that Israeli occupation is endless and unsolvable, ignoring the real historical and political context of countries like Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. As a public broadcaster, Radio-Canada has a responsibility to avoid such one-sided framing. Radio-Canada’s ombudsman has defended the use of the term as being compliant with journalistic standards.
Poor Coverage – Media outlet to be critiqued
A CJPME Media Researcher has launched a media alert for the following article. Please submit a quick response to the media, even if it’s just a sentence or two:
Title of Piece: Radio-Canada: Proche-Orient, l’éternel conflit
Media Outlet: Radio-Canada
Click here to access the piece on-line.
Comments of the CJPME Media Researcher:
(Note: Please do not copy and paste the material below as the content to your message to the media - put all comments in your own words):
Radio-Canada consistently labels its coverage of Palestine and other regions in the Levant under the banner of “Proche-Orient, l’éternel conflit” which translates to “Levant: Eternal Conflict” in English. This language is problematic as labeling the region as an “eternal conflict” suggests that Israeli occupation is endless and unsolvable, ignoring the real historical and political context of countries like Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. As a public broadcaster, Radio-Canada has a responsibility to avoid such one-sided framing. Radio-Canada’s ombudsman has defended the use of the term as being compliant with journalistic standards. This is deeply concerning, as it normalizes the Israeli occupation and presents the conflict as a religious or cultural clash rather than a modern struggle for justice and human rights. You can read more about the background of the issue, as well as an effort to challenge it by Alex Tyrell, Quebec's Green Party Leader, here.
- Emphasize the need for a neutral label on articles that reflect the region’s history rather than simplistic and misleading terms like "eternal conflict."
- Point out that using terms like “eternal conflict’ romanticizes the situation and implies it is unsolvable, which erases the legitimate Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
- Call for a more accurate representation that does not obscure the occupation, human rights violations, and asymmetrical warfare involved.
Please join us in complaining about this practice to Radio-Canada's Ombudsman and senior editorial staff. If you are comfortable, we encourage you to write your email in French.
Please click here to launch an email in which you can draft a response to this media coverage.
Thank you very much. Every response makes a difference.
The CJPME Media Centre Team
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