"This feature on Canadian forces’ work in the West Bank omits the context of occupation and apartheid, undermining the accuracy and balance of the coverage. The headline and content fail to refer clearly to the West Bank as occupied. The article mentions occupation only in a photo caption, overlooking a critical aspect of international law which views Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal."
Poor Coverage – Media outlet to be critiqued
A CJPME Media Researcher has launched a media alert for the following article. Please submit a quick response to the media, even if it’s just a sentence or two:
Title of Piece: Claire Porter Robbins: A murkier mission in the West Bank
Media Outlet: Globe and Mail
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Comments of the CJPME Media Researcher:
(Note: Please do not copy and paste the material below as the content to your message to the media - put all comments in your own words):
This feature on Canadian forces’ work in the West Bank omits the context of occupation and apartheid, undermining the accuracy and balance of the coverage. The headline and content fail to refer clearly to the West Bank as occupied. The article mentions occupation only in a photo caption, overlooking a critical aspect of international law which views Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal.
- The article also describes the events of October 7 in vague terms, reporting that “1,200 people were killed.” However, it fails to specify the numbers of civilians versus soldiers. This lack of specificity distorts the narrative by omitting distinctions between combatant and civilian deaths. Haaretz reported that 851 civilians and 368 soldiers were killed, providing an example of how specificity in reporting is both achievable and necessary. Equally important is the omission of recent Palestinian casualties resulting from Israel’s brutal military siege and ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has now exceeded 43,000 killed, with the majority being women, children, and the elderly. This omission severely distorts the reality on the ground, presenting a one-sided, misleading narrative that minimizes Palestinian suffering.
- While the article includes quotes from the Palestinian Authority (PA), it fails to present a diverse range of Palestinian voices, limiting representation to government perspectives rather than those of ordinary Palestinians, who are more affected by occupation and Israeli apartheid. This exclusion goes against journalistic standards for fairness and diversity, as emphasized by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ). Solely conveying the opinions of the Palestinian Authority doesn’t accurately and fulsomely reflect the experiences of the entire Palestinian community in the West Bank. It is the responsibility of the Globe and Mail to include these perspectives and ensure a full understanding of community dynamics.
- The article’s reference to settler violence lacks essential context. The article fails to mention that multiple NGOs, including the UN and B’Tselem, view settler violence as part of Israel’s larger system of apartheid. This is a grave omission from the Globe and Mail, and this context should be added.
- We strongly encourage MAP Alert volunteers to submit letters-to-the-editor to refute the omission of occupation and apartheid in this piece. The Globe and Mail has a 150-word limit for letters (50 words more than some other national newspapers). Keeping your letter concise—ideally 100 words or less—will increase its chances of publication. The more succinctly your point is made, the better the chances the letter will be read and remembered. Submit your LTE here: [email protected]
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The CJPME Media Centre Team
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