Self-censorship of flag-raising policy

"It is deeply concerning that SaskToday chose to exclude this information, as it demonstrates the extent of external political pressure that influenced Regina’s leadership."


To:

Editor-in-Chief, SaskToday

Martin Oldhues, Reporter, SaskToday

 

Dear SaskToday newsroom,

I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express my concern regarding your recent article, “Regina council approves revised flag-raising policy" January 30th, 2025. This report is unfinished and excludes an alarmingly important angle for the story.

Let’s go back to Journalism 101—every story needs the 5 W’s + H (Who, What, Where, Why, When, How). So why is the WHO—the key actors behind this policy change—nowhere to be found in your reporting?

Your article presents the policy change as a neutral administrative decision without providing the essential background. This revision was caused by a controversy in which Regina’s mayor prevented the Palestinian flag from being raised at city hall. Citizens were outraged at this double-standard as there was prior approval and raising of the Israeli flag without issue. This context is vital for readers to understand why the policy was revisited and who the key actors were in shaping the decision.

Moreover, as CBC has reported, city officials received a flood of emails, including threats and graphic images of dead bodies by pro-Israel dissenters, demanding that the Palestinian flag-raising be canceled. It is deeply concerning that SaskToday chose to exclude this information, as it demonstrates the extent of external political pressure that influenced Regina’s leadership. By failing to acknowledge these factors, your article presents a misleading account of events, framing the decision to a mere procedural update removed from any political context.

The Canadian Association of Journalists’ (CAJ) Ethics Guidelines emphasize that “we are disciplined in our efforts to verify all facts” and that reporting should “distinguish between assertions and fact.” Failing to provide critical context distorts public understanding and does a disservice to your readership.

Since the bottom of your copy indicates there is “More to come…” in your coverage, I strongly demand that you update the article to include this missing background and ensure that future reporting reflects the full scope of relevant facts.

I will continue to monitor your coverage of this story. Failure to include this essential context will leave me no choice but to file a formal complaint with the National News Media Council.

I look forward to your response and to seeing appropriate corrections made.

Anthony Issa

Media Analyst

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East