"In the interest of fairness, the article should have framed the situation more accurately, by presenting the Israeli supporters as the primary instigators of the violence—attacking buildings with Palestinian flags, shouting racist slogans, and engaging in other provocative acts."
November 8, 2024
To:
Brodie Fenlon, News Editor in Chief, CBC News
Paul Moore, Sr Manager, Journalistic Standards, CBC News
Nancy Waugh, Managing Editor, CBC News
Jack Nagler, Ombudsman, CBC
Brian Moss, Trust Principles, Reuters
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) with serious concerns about the Reuters article, published by CBC on November 8, 2024, titled "Dutch PM 'ashamed' by Amsterdam attacks on Israeli soccer fans," which covers the incident in Amsterdam involving clashes between Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters and local residents.
CBC, as a reputable public broadcaster, is bound by ethical codes of journalism to present factual reporting that is fair, accurate, and well-contextualized. Unfortunately, the article in question falls short of these standards, and I urge the editorial team to take swift corrective action. Below are the key issues that require urgent attention:
The article presents the incident predominantly as a targeted attack on Israeli supporters, using phrases such as "attacked, abused, and pelted with fireworks," and "antisemitic hit-and-run squads."
This framing skews the narrative, emphasizing the violence faced by the Israeli fans while only briefly acknowledging their provocative behavior, such as chanting anti-Arab slurs and setting off flares. In the interest of fairness, the article should have framed the situation more accurately, by presenting the Israeli supporters as the primary instigators of the violence—attacking buildings with Palestinian flags, shouting racist slogans, and engaging in other provocative acts.
Local residents were defending themselves against these provocations, yet the article fails to highlight this critical aspect. Ultimately, the focus on condemning violence against Israeli fans is overly sympathetic, relegating the mention of provocations by Israeli supporters to the fourth paragraph—after already describing the Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters as being "attacked, abused, and pelted with fireworks." Prioritizing the violence against Israeli supporters without adequately contextualizing Israel’s provocations amounts to a prejudicial viewpoint, undermining the principle of fairness in journalism.
In conclusion, the reporting in this article falls short of journalistic standards for fairness, accuracy, and balance. I urge CBC and Reuters to reframe this coverage, providing the necessary context and avoiding the use of language that editorializes or mischaracterizes pro-Palestine perspectives and their intentions.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to your response.
I remind CBC that my concerns stem from a good faith intention to hold journalism accountable and raise awareness about misconceptions surrounding Arabs.
Best regards,
Lynn Naji
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East