On April 29, 2024, CJPME sent letters to CTV News and CBC News, pushing the media outlets to add an important piece of information regarding articles (this one and this one) about the McGill encampments requesting their university’s full divestment from occupation and genocide.
CJPME wrote, among other things, that the articles quote the McGill administration’s claim that they have seen footage of people using antisemitic language and intimidating behaviour without clarifying if CTV News and CBC News requested to see the footage and if anyone at CTV News and CBC News has seen it.
CJPME insisted, among other things, that CTV News and CBC News clarify it they have seen the alleged video footage of antisemitic and intimidating behavior by protesters.
Following our letters, CBC News added the following sentence: “CBC News requested a copy of the video, but the university has not responded.” CTV News added the following sentence: “McGill University has not responded to CTV News Montreal's requests for interviews.”
While other issues were not acknowledged by CTV News and CBC News, this addition is necessary given the sensitive nature of these events and the numerous cases of false allegations of antisemitism on university campuses since protests began, this important piece of information can serve as a precedent to challenge other media outlets quoting McGill administration’s claim without verifying it.