 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: Ben Shapiro to headline first Toronto conference combatting antizionism
Media Outlet: Toronto Sun
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Toronto Sun reporter Bryan Passifiume published an article that includes multiple instances of editorializing, unverified claims, and a failure to disclose that he has taken sponsored propaganda trips to Israel. The article reads as a PR for the conference rather than journalism, violating core principles of accuracy, fairness, and transparency. Join our collective media advocacy efforts to hold the Toronto Sun accountable for failing to meet basic journalistic standards.
Here are some optional angles:
- The article fails to disclose that Passifiume participated in a sponsored trip to Israel in 2024 organized by the Exigent Foundation. The Foundation is funded in part by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This represents a clear conflict of interest, particularly in an article promoting a pro-Israel advocacy event. The omission violates journalistic standards of transparency and independence. According to Press Progress, since 2024, the Exigent Foundation has organized a number of “fact-finding” trips with guest lists featuring a who’s who of right-wing Canadian media personalities and social media influencers, including Passifiume. In their investigation, Press Progress concluded that at least two recent trips in October and November 2025 by Exigent appear to have been primarily funded by the Israeli government. Press Progress stated that Exigent was approved for funds worth nearly $175,000 CAD by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs last year, a source of funding the organization has not previously disclosed.
- Passifiume claims that anti-Zionism is a term that is “increasingly being used by anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activists to justify antisemitic acts.” This is a contested political assertion presented as fact without attribution or evidence, violating the Canadian Association of Journalists’ requirement to distinguish between fact and opinion. We ask that responders push for the Sun to either attribute the following statement or revise the paragraph to be in line with Canadian reporting standards.
- Passifiume also writes that “Toronto’s anti-Israel and far-left activists began a well-organized campaign targeting Toronto’s Jewish community mere days after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, which saw Palestinian terrorists storm Gaza-adjacent communities to kidnap, murder and sexually assault Israeli civilians.” Again, there is no attribution to the claims made by Passifiume.
- Passifiume uses loaded and subjective language such as describing Iran as a “despotic and dangerous regime.” These assertions are presented in the reporter’s voice rather than attributed to a source.
- News reporting standards require journalists to distinguish clearly between fact and opinion. These inclusions of editorial language in a news article violates basic principles of accuracy and impartiality. We ask that these paragraphs be revised.
If you are unhappy with the outlet's response to your complaint, National NewsMedia Council complaints can be filed here.
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Thank you very much. Every response makes a difference.
The CJPME Media Centre Team
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