"While your article provides some valuable information, it lacks the above context regarding Sinwar’s leadership in Hamas and the critical perspectives necessary for readers to understand the broader implications of Sinwar's death beyond a Western viewpoint. This omission results in a heavily skewed and unbalanced narrative."
October 18, 2024
To:
Andrea Baillie, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Press
Tim Cook, Managing Editor, Canadian Press
Dylan Robertson, Journalist, Canadian Press
Dear Andrea Baillie, Tim Cook, and Dylan Robertson,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to raise concerns regarding the one-sided reporting in your article titled “Trudeau says death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar 'ends a reign of terror,'” published on October 17, 2024.
Your article quotes Western leaders regarding Israel’s killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. I wish to highlight that although the Israeli military and Israeli media initially alleged that Sinwar was hiding in tunnels under occupied Gaza, Hamas later confirmed that he was killed “moving between combat positions” in Gaza, facing his enemies directly. While it is not the responsibility of journalists to glorify or condemn leaders of militant groups, it is important to recognize that Sinwar was a complex figure and that certain context regarding his rise to military leadership ought to be noted in the context of Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories. Born in 1962 in the Khan Younes refugee camp after his family was displaced during the Nakba in 1948, Sinwar dedicated his life to resisting Israel’s occupation. While your article provides some valuable information, it lacks the above context regarding Sinwar’s leadership in Hamas and the critical perspectives necessary for readers to understand the broader implications of Sinwar's death beyond a Western viewpoint. This omission results in a heavily skewed and unbalanced narrative.
For instance, you could have quoted Iran’s president, who expressed condolences for Sinwar's death, stating: “The news of the assassination and martyrdom of the steadfast fighter Yahya Sinwar, Head of the Hamas Political Bureau, is both painful and heartbreaking for freedom lovers around the world, especially the brave people of Palestine. However, it also clearly underscores the ongoing atrocities of the occupying and child-killing Zionist regime.”
Furthermore, you could have also included a quote from Khalil Hayya, head of Hamas in Gaza, who emphasized Sinwar's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause: “Since his early days, he was engaged in his struggle as a resistance fighter. He stood defiant behind Israeli bars and, after his release in a prisoner swap, continued his dedication to the cause.”
The inclusion of a third-party source, such as a Middle East Analyst or expert on the issue would have also enriched your report. Failing to include these critical perspectives reinforces a narrative that marginalizes Palestinian voices and experiences. I urge you to include diverse critical perspectives now in future reporting to ensure a more balanced narrative.
I look forward to your response.