"I am baffled by the editorial angle taken in this article. Ms. Woolf should have included perspectives from more third-party groups and Albanese herself. The omission of these perspectives disregards the principles of balance and diversity as outlined in the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) guidelines."
November 7, 2024
To:
Sandra Martin, Standards Editor, The Globe and Mail
Marie Woolf, Reporter, The Globe and Mail
Dear Ms. Martin and Ms. Woolf,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express my concern regarding Ms. Woolf’s recent article titled “UN Palestinian rapporteur faces backlash after press conference on Parliament Hill” published in The Globe and Mail. The article frames UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese’s statements on Israel’s apartheid policies and its siege on Gaza as mere “public backlash.”
The article predominantly features criticism from pro-Israel lobby groups and Israeli officials, as if these voices alone constitute the response to Albanese’s findings. Yet, there is substantial support from pro-Palestinian and third-party groups who back her press conference and assessments. By failing to include these perspectives, The Globe and Mail delivers a disingenuous and one-sided portrayal of Albanese’s statements.
The article somewhat downplays Ms. Albanese’s findings by framing her statements about Israeli genocide and apartheid as “allegations” while omitting that leading human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and prominent Israeli historians like Ilan Pappé corroborate her conclusions. These findings are based on internationally recognized definitions of apartheid as established under the 1973 Apartheid Convention and affirmed by the International Criminal Court. Presenting Albanese’s position as if it is uncommon leaves readers with a false sense of the strength supporting the accusation of genocide.
I am baffled by the editorial angle taken in this article. Ms. Woolf should have included perspectives from more third-party groups and Albanese herself. The omission of these perspectives disregards the principles of balance and diversity as outlined in the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) guidelines.
I urge The Globe and Mail to prioritize these principles in future coverage of Palestine-related issues in Canada.
Sincerely,
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East