While the article claims “some” of Michael Janz's “recent posts” are “misinformation that could be harmful,” there is only one such post whose factual veracity is in question. It is our understanding that the post is inaccurate, but it is Global’s journalistic responsibility to explain why and make clear what is true.
Dear Global News Digital Editors,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding the article “Concern over social media posts by Edmonton city councillor Michael Janz.”
While the article claims “some” of Michael Janz's “recent posts” are “misinformation that could be harmful,” there is only one such post whose factual veracity is in question. It is our understanding that the post is inaccurate, but it is Global’s journalistic responsibility to explain why and make clear what is true. The facts are that Israel has killed more than 20,000 Palestinian children in Gaza since October 2023 and injured over 40,000 more. This is not to speak of the children killed in the womb, the ones who will die after their birth of causes related to the sweeping destruction of Gaza, or the children who are now orphans because Israel killed their parents. All of this information is pertinent and essential context.
Even if Janz's shared post was technically inaccurate, it is unfair to call it harmful, and it is even more unfair to totally omit that Israel “deliberately targeted and killed” in Gaza during the genocide in Gaza, according to an independent UN commission.
The article’s assertion that “some” of Janz’s posts were “misinformation,” is both inaccurate and unfair. Only the content of one post is in question. This merits a correction.
While Global insists the “Jewish community” in Edmonton is concerned, it only cites the Jewish Federation of Edmonton. The Jewish community is not a monolith, and suggesting that the entire Jewish community in Edmonton is concerned by criticism of Israel is itself a deeply unfair and antisemitic description. Many Jewish people in Edmonton acknowledge Israel’s actions are genocide and actively organize against the state’s crimes against humanity. It is not clear why the Edmonton chapter of Independent Jewish Voices in Edmonton wasn’t approached for comment, for example.
Further, why did Global not attempt to speak to a Palestinian? This story, ultimately, is about a public official being criticized for advocating for Palestinian human rights. A Palestinian voice is essential. To not even try to add one to the story is a failure of balance.
We request that you resolve these journalistic shortcomings.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, CJPME