Mischaracterization of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthis requires on-air correction

"Given that both Hamas and Hezbollah hold elected political roles, and that Canada does not classify the Houthis as a terrorist group, I request that you promptly issue an on-air correction to more accurately reflect the political and legal status of these groups. It is the responsibility of media outlets to ensure that coverage remains factual, nuanced, and free from biased terminology."


October 7, 2024

To:

Jonathan Whitten, News Director, CityNews

Jaime Pulfer, CityNews

Dear Jonathan Whitten and Jaime Pulfer,

I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express serious concerns regarding the content of your radio clip aired at 7:05 on Monday, October 7, 2024 on CityNews 570 (CKGL). 

Here is a transcript of the section of the segment I am concerned about: 

The Hamas attack sparked Israeli airstrikes and a ground invasion in Gaza that has left tens of thousands dead, millions displaced. Israel, now fighting Iran-backed terrorist groups on multiple fronts, which includes Gaza, Lebanon and in Yemen, and some are suggesting the Middle East is facing its greatest upheaval in a half-century. Reporting live, I'm Jaime Pulfer.

In this segment, you referred to Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis as “terrorist groups.” In the context of a brief news segment, this characterization is problematic and raises serious journalistic concerns regarding fairness, accuracy, and balance.

  • Hamas is an Islamic Palestinian liberation organization that functions as the de facto government in Gaza. Since winning the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and taking full control of Gaza in 2007, Hamas has managed Gaza's political, social, and security affairs. In 2018, a United States resolution in the United Nations condemned Hamas for terrorism, but failed to gain enough support to pass. While many Western nations, including Canada, consider Hamas a terror organization, much of the world does not, but views it instead as the legitimate government of Gaza.
  • Hezbollah is a Shia Muslim political party and armed organization based in Lebanon, often described as operating like a "state within a state." It was established in response to Israel's 1982 invasion of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has participated in Lebanon’s national elections since 1992 and has since become a significant political force. Again, while many Western countries view Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, including Canada, it is viewed by much of the rest of the world as a legitimate political party in Lebanon with a militant wing.
  • The Houthis (Ansar Allah), an armed group controlling much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, emerged in the 1990s as a religious and social movement advocating for the Zaidi Shia minority in northern Yemen. Notably, Canada does not designate the Houthis as a terrorist organization.

If CityNews is going to label these as “terrorist groups” in a news segment, such an editorial choice ought to include qualification. If a journalist notes that Canada recognizes Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, but not the Houthis, such a statement would meet widely held journalistic standards. However, your segment as it stands falls short.

Given that both Hamas and Hezbollah hold elected political roles, and that Canada does not classify the Houthis as a terrorist group, I request that you promptly issue an on-air correction to more accurately reflect the political and legal status of these groups. It is the responsibility of media outlets to ensure that coverage remains factual, nuanced, and free from biased terminology.

Please let me know your next steps as soon as possible, otherwise I plan on submitting this complaint with the CBSC.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your on-air correction.