Solidarity from CJPME MAP team to Concordia’s independent student advoacy paper

"This is particularly concerning given the context of heightened tensions and the potential chilling effect this may have on students expressing solidarity with Palestine. By exposing this matter, The Link has done an invaluable service to transparency, accountability, and the protection of students' rights to freedom of expression."


January 16, 2025

To: 

Hannah Vogan, Editor-in-Chief, The Link

Alice Martin, Managing Editor, The Link

Maria Cholakova, Coordinating Editor, The Link

Dana Hachwa, Copy Editor, The Link

Dear Link masthead,

On behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME), I am writing to express our sincere gratitude for your recent article, Concordia hires external security firm founded by ex-Israeli soldier.”  ” Your reporting shines a critical spotlight on an alarming conflict of interest, exposing pro-Israel influence over campus life and safety. This is an issue that deeply impacts students, faculty, and the broader Concordia community.

This is particularly concerning given the context of heightened tensions and the potential chilling effect this may have on students expressing solidarity with Palestine. By exposing this matter, The Link has done an invaluable service to transparency, accountability, and the protection of students' rights to freedom of expression.

We understand the pressures that may arise from organizations like the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) or Concordia’s administration in response to such critical reporting. Please know that CJPME stands in full support of your commitment to investigative journalism and to shedding light on issues affecting vulnerable and marginalized communities.

The Media Accountability team at CJPME hopes that your reporting will inspire further discussions at Concordia University about the implications of such decisions and encourage a revaluation of the role of external security firms on campus.

This story exemplifies the highest standards of journalistic ethics, as outlined by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ). Tragically, reporting on Palestine often falls victim to a glaring double standard, with Palestinian narratives routinely marginalized.

That’s why CJPME takes immense pride in seeing emerging journalists like yourselves rise to the challenge, platforming these stories while upholding professional journalistic principles.

Your coverage sets a crucial benchmark, and your team should be incredibly proud of this work. We urge The Link to continue leading the way in raising the bar on reporting this sensitive and critical issue. We cannot stress this point especially in the face of attempts by Canadian academic institutions to suppress independent expression or stifle solidarity with Palestine.

I think you are already aware, but I want to emphasize that J-source runs the Canada Press Freedom Project, and they’ve been maintaining an ongoing database of press freedom violations, and tools and resources for media workers. Recently they’ve been asking journalists who cover the Palestine beat and that receive threats online by Honest Reporting Canada (HRC) to reach out for assistance. I sincerely hope that this doesn’t happen to The Link, but just in case, I suggest you bookmark this link as a precautionary measure.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance or further collaboration,

Anthony Issa,

Media Analyst, CJPME

With solidarity from Jason Toney and Lynn Naji

Media Accountability Project team