"If there is substantiated evidence to support these severe allegations against Albanese, then it is your obligation to present it transparently. Otherwise, this article amounts to little more than an attempt to vilify a UN human rights official solely for her outspoken support of Palestinian rights—a tactic that qualifies as anti-Palestinian racism (APR) as rigorously defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA)."
November 1, 2024
To:
Ari David Blaff, Journalist, National Post
Rob Roberts, Editor-in-Chief, National Post
Mr. Blaff,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding your recent article on Francesca Albanese, titled “Controversial UN official to speak at Montreal event featuring leader of designated terror group,” published on October 31, 2024.
Oddly, this article is the second disappointing example of selective reporting in 48 hours that appears to function more as a hit-piece on Albanese than as fair or honest journalism.
As before, your latest article excludes any balanced perspectives, such as those that recognize Albanese’s advocacy. Instead, it relies exclusively on the accusations of pro-Israel voices, including statements from organizations such as CIJA that are public relations statements rather than actual journalistic interviews. You have perhaps one email interview from pro-Israel MP Anthony Housefather which is the bare minimum of “field work.” The lack of balance in interviews or attempts thereof undermines the credibility of your story.
If there is substantiated evidence to support these severe allegations against Albanese, then it is your obligation to present it transparently. Otherwise, this article amounts to little more than an attempt to vilify a UN human rights official solely for her outspoken support of Palestinian rights—a tactic that qualifies as anti-Palestinian racism (APR) as rigorously defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA). I implore you to give the ACLA’s document a read. Implying Albanese’s complicity in terrorism due to her participation in a panel with Samidoun speaker Charlotte Kates is APR, and is a baseless association that serves only to slander. This allegation without facts and essentially claiming she is guilty by association is downright libellous and has no place in Canadian media.
I urge you to reconsider this repetitive, editorialized approach to Albanese’s work and to reflect on whether your commitment is truly to journalism and not being the PR officer of B’nai B’rith Canada or CIJA. As it stands, your reporting on the humanitarian advocacy work of Francesca Albanese consistently turns into one-sided narratives, sacrificing journalistic ethics in favor of predictable, racist talking points against Palestinian human rights.
I await your response,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East