"Toronto Sun reporter Bryan Passifiume fails to meet basic journalistic standards by sidelining diverse Jewish-Canadian perspectives. His coverage of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union's (OPSEU) decision to select Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) for antisemitism training amplifies pro-Israel voices while excluding balanced viewpoints."
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: Bryan Passifiume: Jewish OPSEU members concerned over union's antisemitism training provider
Media Outlet: Toronto Sun
Click here to access the piece on-line.
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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):
Toronto Sun reporter Bryan Passifiume fails to meet basic journalistic standards by sidelining diverse Jewish-Canadian perspectives. His coverage of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union's (OPSEU) decision to select Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) for antisemitism training amplifies pro-Israel voices while excluding balanced viewpoints.
- The article labels Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) as “fringe” without evidence or offering them a chance to respond, violating journalistic fairness and balance.
- The article fails to meet the standards of diversity in reporting. According to the Canadian Association of Journalists, diversity is essential to fair reporting, and voices from all segments of society—including minority views within communities—are necessary to uphold public trust and understanding. Solely conveying the opinions of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) or the Simon Wiesenthal Centre doesn’t accurately reflect the experiences of the entire Jewish Canadian community. It is the responsibility of the Toronto Sun to ensure full understanding of community dynamics.
- The piece fails to disclose the political affiliations of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and CIJA, which are pro-Israel organizations.
- The article only cites one person speaking in defense of Independent Jewish Voices, and their comment is buried at the very bottom of the piece.
- Portray IJV as fringe or unqualified to discuss antisemitism simply because of their anti-Zionist positions is deeply harmful and unfair.
- MAP volunteers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor challenging this coverage. The Sun allows a 250-word limit for letters to be published. Focusing on a single point will enhance the letter’s effectiveness. The letter should be concise and direct to increase the likelihood of publication. For this specific article, the Media Accountability team suggest framing a letter from the perspective of the ICC arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu and Gallant for war crimes. Given this precedent, flak the Toronto Sun and Bryan Passifiume justifying its continued editorial practices of excluding pro-Palestinian perspectives, platforming partisan pro-Israel groups such as CIJA, B’nai Brith Canada, and the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and labeling Palestinian solidarity movements as “terrorist” or “antisemitic.”
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The CJPME Media Centre Team
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