"This baseless and inflammatory claim was presented without any journalistic qualification, counterpoint, or context about Amnesty’s findings. Presenting such a serious allegation without challenge fails the test of “full, fair, and proper presentation” and promotes a one-sided narrative on a matter of urgent public interest."
July 3, 2025
To the CJAD 800 newsroom,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express my concern about your news brief which aired today July 3, 2025 at 09:05 a.m. regarding Israel and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. I believe your segment fails to uphold journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality, and fair presentation, in breach of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics, particularly Clauses 5, 6, and 7.
The brief mentions that "Palestinian officials and witnesses accuse Israeli forces" of shooting at civilians but excludes glaring evidence reported by the Associated Press proving that contractors shot Palestinians at aid sites. AP’s breaking story uses eyewitness testimony from American contractors and video footage confirming that U.S. security guards, contracted to guard Israeli-controlled aid sites, used live ammunition and stun grenades against Palestinian civilians at aid sites. In one video, these contractors are heard laughing and celebrating after firing at Palestinians departing with food aid.
Bursts of gunfire erupt close by, at least 15 shots. “Whoo! Whoo!” one contractor yelps.
“I think you hit one,” one says.
Then comes a shout: “Hell, yeah, boy!”
The camera’s view is obscured by a large dirt mound.
CJAD's failure to include or acknowledge this evidence constitutes a serious omission, obscuring the extent of the atrocity and misleading the audience about the nature of the incident. By avoiding this verifiable and visually documented abuse, CJAD compromised the public’s ability to “know what is happening and to understand events,” as required by Clause 5.
The segment also aired a quote from Israel’s Foreign Minister accusing Amnesty International of having “joined forces with Hamas.” This baseless and inflammatory claim was presented without any journalistic qualification, counterpoint, or context about Amnesty’s findings. Presenting such a serious allegation without challenge fails the test of “full, fair, and proper presentation” and promotes a one-sided narrative on a matter of urgent public interest.
The segment’s language claiming that over 500 Palestinians were killed “at or near” the aid sites, also avoids naming the perpetrators or clearly identifying these as shootings by Israeli forces and private contractors. This use of passive voice and vague phrasing obscures responsibility, undercutting the requirement for accuracy and bias-free reporting. Other Canadian broadcasters who ran briefs on the story this morning used much stronger and accurate language, including reference to these killings as part Israel's ongoing genocide of Palestinians. Comparatively, CJAD's version stood out as a censored and whitewashed report that downplays atrocities committed by Israel and American contractors. This editorial self-censorship violates the obligation to treat all sides fairly in the presentation of controversial issues.
Given the above, I respectfully urge CJAD 800 to issue a follow-up broadcast that accurately presents the AP's findings, including contractor testimony as well as the other evidence uncovered by AP, and clarify the unsubstantiated nature of Israel's smear against Amnesty International.
Failure to adequately respond to this serious breach of journalistic ethics will leave me no choice but to submit a formal complaint to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC).
Anthony Issa
Media Analyst
Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME)