"It is hard to imagine CBC reporting on other clear-cut cases of hate in this way. Of course, in instances where there is some reason for skepticism, using the language of “alleged” and qualifying the racism makes some sense, but that is not at all the case here and seems entirely inappropriate."
October 21, 2024
To:
Nancy Waugh, Managing Editor, CBC News
George Achi, CBC News
Brodie Fenlon, News Editor in Chief, CBC News
Jack Nagler, Ombudsman
Dear CBC team,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to raise concerns regarding your article titled “B.C. Conservative candidates painted as controversial win seats” published by CBC News in British Columbia on October 20, 2024.
As your article notes, B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman was criticized for a Facebook comment making disparaging comments.
Brent Chapman recently apologized for the comment, effectively confirming that the comment was racist, but that he was trying to move forward. Despite this, CBC frames these remarks as “alleged” anti-Palestinian racism. Such language appears twice in the article:
- “from alleged anti-Palestinian racism, to comments about Indigenous peoples' incarceration rates”
- “one of the most high-profile ones was Surrey South candidate Brent Chapman, who had to apologize for posts seen as racist towards Palestinians and denying the existence of mass shootings.”
Candidate Chapman’s statement, “It is forbidden to marry outside of your family in Palestine. They are all little inbred walking, talking, breathing time bombs … figuratively and quite literally,” is a blatant, appalling, and undeniable example of anti-Palestinian racism. Referring to his remarks as “alleged” racism or that it was merely “seen as racist” is a weak attempt to soften the blow of his abhorrent words. These are not matters of opinion; they are unequivocal instances of hate. According to the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA), Chapman’s statements amount to anti-Palestinian racism: “anti-Palestinian racism is a form of anti-Arab racism that silences, excludes, erases, stereotypes, defames or dehumanizes Palestinians or their narratives.”
It is hard to imagine CBC reporting on other clear-cut cases of hate in this way. Of course, in instances where there is some reason for skepticism, using the language of “alleged” and qualifying the racism makes some sense, but that is not at all the case here and seems entirely inappropriate.
I urge you to eliminate euphemisms such as “alleged” and “seen as racist” from your reporting. CBC should make clear that Brent Chapman made a comment that was anti-Palestinian racism, period. The use of these qualifiers serves to cast doubt on the reality of anti-Palestinian racism in Canada in the minds of your readers.
I am urging CBC to promptly resolve this issue.
Best regards,
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East