Joel Gotlib has repeatedly published and shared explicitly pro-Israel content on his social media pages. To be clear, this is not even run-of-the-mill pro-Israel content, much of it contains blatant anti-Palestinian racism. At the end of this letter is an appendix with some posts Gotlib made. In the section at the end of the letter, I do not include countless profoundly anti-Palestinian, racist posts that Gotlib shared from other accounts spreading demonstrably false misinformation, like the “beheaded babies” myth. Gotlib’s posts and re-shares can be seen by Global on his X account and Instagram account.
Dear Global News Producers,
I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding a recent segment aired several times on Global News, especially in Edmonton, but also recently on Global News at Noon Edmonton at 2:05pm. The segment can be viewed here.
I am concerned by serious violations of broadcasting ethics by journalist Joel Gotlib and Global News.
Social media statements
The segment centered on social media activity by Michael Janz regarding the slaughter of tens of thousands of Palestinian children, and the injury of tens of thousands more by Israel. While Global News journalists are generally expected to avoid sharing their personal opinions on news stories (recall that Global News fired Palestinian journalist Zahraa Al-Akrass for her social media advocacy that expressed sympathy for Palestinians), it is even more serious when the social media posts relate to the beat they cover.
Joel Gotlib has repeatedly published and shared explicitly pro-Israel content on his social media pages. To be clear, this is not even run-of-the-mill pro-Israel content, much of it contains blatant anti-Palestinian racism. At the end of this letter is an appendix with some posts Gotlib made. In the section at the end of the letter, I do not include countless profoundly anti-Palestinian, racist posts that Gotlib shared from other accounts spreading demonstrably false misinformation, like the “beheaded babies” myth. Gotlib’s posts and re-shares can be seen by Global on his X account and Instagram account.
As just one example of the posts he did share, however, one by Michael Rapaport is captioned, in part, “Fuck Rafah.” Rapaport’s video came as about 2/3rds of Gaza’s population had been forcibly displaced there and Israel was massacring Palestinians. In the video, Rapaport calls people who shared “All eyes on Rafah” content “terrorist scumbags.” He called Rafah a “shithole.” He said “everything in Rafah, everything in Gaza is a lie.” Rapaport is a Kahanist who has praised Meir Kahane. Kahane Chai, a Kahanist organization, is listed as a terrorist organization in Canada.
It is entirely unacceptable that Gotlib would be allowed to report on this story given his social media history. The posts he shared contain anti-Palestinian racism. It is no surprise he would not have approached a Palestinian to comment on this story, and it would be understandable if a Palestinian did not feel comfortable speaking to him — this is quite a paradox for a story about social media activity that causes “harm” and makes a minority group feel unsafe.
Specific code violations
Section 2.0 of The Radio Television Digital News Association of Canada’s (RTDNA) Code of Journalistic Ethics (2016) states:
We are committed to impartial, unbiased journalism that serves the public interest through the free and open exchange of ideas, and respects the diversity of society…. Journalists should be fair and balanced, and avoid allowing their personal biases to influence their reporting. News events and public issues may be analyzed and put into context, but commentary, opinion or editorializing must be kept distinct from regular news coverage.
In addition, Section 4.0 of the RTDNA code says:
We will govern ourselves on and off the job in a manner that avoids conflict of interest, real or perceived. When conflicts are unavoidable, they should be disclosed…. We recognize that expressing personal opinions publicly or in social media can erode our ability to be perceived as fair and balanced in our news coverage. It affects our personal reputations and those of our news organizations.
Gotlib also violated Global’s Ethical Code of Professional Conduct, which makes clear that journalists should:
Remain professionally detached and fair, balanced and complete when reporting the news so as not to influence the outcome of events. This does not preclude the practice of advocacy journalism in the public interest.
Clause 5 of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Code of Ethics (2002) states:
It shall be the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure that news shall be represented with accuracy and without bias. Broadcasters shall satisfy themselves that the arrangements made for obtaining news ensure this result. They shall also ensure that news broadcasts are not editorial.
I believe all of these standards have been violated by his social media activity and because of the content of the segment itself, which demonstrated clear bias.
Bias in the segment
It was Global’s journalistic responsibility to explain what is allegedly true or false in Janz’s posts, and that never happened. 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 tens of thousands of children who are now orphans because Israel killed their parents. In fact, Israel “deliberately targeted and killed” children in Gaza during the genocide, according to an independent UN commission. All of this information is pertinent and essential context that was left out by Gotlib’s report.
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 wasn’t approached for comment, for example. This omission of critical perspectives again speaks to the bias of the broadcast.
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.
Additionally, this whole report is based on a double standard. The mayor himself who chided Janz was recently photographed with the Ambassador to Ukraine. There was no outcry when the Ambassador came to city hall, despite the hand-wringing here about how councillors should keep away from international affairs. This essential context ought to have been mentioned.
Joel Gotlib should be held accountable. I request that Global respond to this letter and explain what steps it will take to resolve this incident.
Sincerely,
Jason Toney
Director of Media Advocacy, CJPME
P.S. I am aware that there was an AI driven campaign regarding this segment. CJPME has no involvement or affiliation with that effort.
Appendix: Supporting screenshots