"By repeating Israel’s claims without providing adequate surrounding context, your article effectively disseminates a one-sided talking point. Journalists should not act as stenographers of Israeli military euphemisms that downplay the well-documented risks that their actions present towards civilian lives in Lebanon."
October 3, 2024
To:
Katie Griffin, Journalist, CTV News Ottawa
John Crupi, Assignment Editor, CTV News Ottawa
Dear Ms. Griffin and Mr. Crupi,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express concerns regarding your article titled “There is a lot of panic:' Ottawa Lebanese community fears for family as violence escalates” published on October 2, 2024.
You write, “Israeli forces are carrying out what they say are limited ground incursions into southern Lebanon.” While you do include appropriate attribution to the claim that Israel’s incursions are allegedly “limited,” there is an unfortunate lack of skepticism.
The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israel targeted multiple locations with airstrikes, artillery shelling, and heavy machine gun fire. Notwithstanding that the offensive comes after two weeks of intense attacks by Israel on Lebanon in the south and in Dahiya district, which included an airstrike that resulted in the death of Hezbollah's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah. The evidence on the ground, based on the nature and scale of troops and tanks mobilized by Israel, strongly suggests preparations for a broader military operation in Lebanon, not mere “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” as stated by the Israeli military. By repeating Israel’s claims without providing adequate surrounding context, your article effectively disseminates a one-sided talking point. Journalists should not act as stenographers of Israeli military euphemisms that downplay the well-documented risks that their actions present towards civilian lives in Lebanon.
Your sentence should rather read: “Israeli forces are carrying out what they say are limited ground incursions into southern Lebanon; however, Hezbollah has rejected these claims and evidence on the ground strongly suggests that Israel is preparing for a broader military invasion.”
I urge you to exercise greater diligence and integrity in your reporting on these critical issues, ensuring that your audience receives a balanced and accurate perspective rather than one that reflects unchallenged narratives from Israel. The consequences of such reporting are significant, and the public deserves better.
Sincerely,
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East