"The article does not align with journalistic standards of balance of perspectives and views. Throughout the article, the overwhelming majority of quoted voices are Iranian-Canadians celebrating the attacks, explicitly pro–U.S. and pro–Israel voices, supporters of regime change, and admirers of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. There are no voices from Iranian-Canadians who oppose foreign military intervention, anti-war Iranian diaspora members, international law experts questioning the legality of the strikes, human rights advocates concerned about civilian harm, or scholars contextualizing the consequences of regime change wars."
Dear CBC editorial newsroom and Jonathan Migneault,
I’m writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME, https://www.cjpme.org) to express concerns about the article titled “Some Iranians in Sudbury, Ont., overjoyed at American and Israeli attacks in Iran” published this morning.
Firstly, the article does not align with journalistic standards of balance of perspectives and views. Throughout the article, the overwhelming majority of quoted voices are Iranian-Canadians celebrating the attacks, explicitly pro–U.S. and pro–Israel voices, supporters of regime change, and admirers of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. There are no voices from Iranian-Canadians who oppose foreign military intervention, anti-war Iranian diaspora members, international law experts questioning the legality of the strikes, human rights advocates concerned about civilian harm, or scholars contextualizing the consequences of regime change wars. The article reads: “Some Iranians in Sudbury…”, yet every quoted Iranian voice supports the strikes.
The article mentions “Thousands of Iranians were killed during … protests”, but, astonishingly, fails to mention the mounting death toll from the U.S./Israeli bombing. In particular, there is no reference to the airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' primary school in Minab that killed approximately 165 civilians, most of them girls. By omitting these verified atrocities, the article fails to provide accurate, balanced information to readers. If tables were turned (i.e. if Iran’s missiles had killed so many American or Israeli school-going children), it is impossible to imagine the article would be silent.
Also absent is any discussion of the legal context of the U.S./Israeli bombing, such as whether the strikes violate international law, or whether the killing of a head of state constitutes an act of war.
Yet, CBC has demonstrated it can do a great job of balancing perspectives on the current situation in Iran, such as through these quotes Tweeted by Maryam Manouchehri that were highlighted by CBC National: “...I’m surprised by some Iranians abroad” “Yes, we are afraid of the Mullahs. But we are also afraid of bombs”. Respected CBC journalist Ian Hanomansing also stated “We (CBC) certainly do not want to be part of an attempt - even unwittingly - to manufacture consent” for the war” on last Sunday’s Cross Country Checkup.
I’m disappointed that no such effort has been made to provide balanced perspectives in this article. I kindly urge CBC to revise this article accordingly, and ensure this and future coverage meets CBC’s journalistic standards and practices.
Sincerely,
Alison Jenkins