"In response to our own note of concern, CJPME received a reply from the paper's editor, informing us that he would have Peacock write a follow-up piece that resolved the issues. Unfortunately, that article still falls far short. Canada's subsidies for local newspapers is supposed to support "civic journalism," not repeated anti-Palestinian narratives."
Poor coverage - Media outlet to be critiqued
A CJPME Media Researcher has launched a media alert for the following article. Please submit a quick response to the media, even if it’s just a sentence or two:
Title of Piece: Paige Peacock: “Mississauga faces questions about support for future protests”
Media Outlet: The Pointer
Click here to access the piece on-line.
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Comments of the CJPME Media Researcher:
(Note: Please do not copy and paste the material below as the content to your message to the media - put all comments in your own words):
Last month, CJPME alerted MAP Responders to an article rife with violations of journalistic standards by government-subsidized journalist Paige Peacock in The Pointer. In response to our own note of concern, CJPME received a reply from the paper's editor, informing us that he would have Peacock write a follow-up piece that resolved the issues. Unfortunately, that article still falls far short. Canada's subsidies for local newspapers is supposed to support "civic journalism," not repeated anti-Palestinian narratives.
- The journalist refers to Sinwar as “a reviled terrorist leader” and makes other editorialized remarks without attribution. While journalists are entitled to their opinions on issues that they do not cover, it is a serious violation of journalistic standards to so heavily editorialize an article in this manner, regardless of the topic and content.
- The journalist wrote that the event “promotes the actions of a known terrorist who directed the killings of innocent men, women, children and babies." It is not the place for a journalist to be including this type of commentary. Further, it represents a blatant double-standard as Israel continues to direct the mass the killings of innocent men, women, children, and babies. 45,000 Palestinians are dead because of Israel’s brutal military siege on Gaza which human rights organizations like Amnesty International have concluded is a genocide.
- The article once again accuses Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish of “comparing” Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to Nelson Mandela. This is misleading, as the mayor’s comments were not comparing the individuals as the writing suggests but merely referred to the fact that both were viewed as “terrorists” by Western powers.
- Many other important points can be raised. We encourage you to read carefully and put points into your own words. The article ultimately suppresses pro-Palestine voices and amplifies pro-Israel organizations. It misrepresents pro-Palestine advocacy and editorializes far beyond the norms of ethical journalism.
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The CJPME Media Centre Team
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