The Media Accountability Project  

While these issues are certainly important, the broadcast failed to mention the alarming rise of anti-Palestinian racism, including attacks on Arab institutions and mosques in Montreal. It is also problematic that the segment interviewed representatives from the pro-Israel group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), yet provided no corresponding Palestinian voices to offer balance or convey the equally important concerns of the Arab Canadian community.   Continue reading

CJPME is extremely disappointed by this editorial decision by the CBC as the suffering of Palestinians, particularly in Gaza following October 7, is a crucial part of this ongoing story, yet it is almost entirely absent from your coverage. Continue reading

Before October 7th, ongoing violence by Israeli settlers was a daily reality in occupied Gaza. Israel turned occupied Gaza into the world’s largest open-air prison, posing severe limitations on its military and economy. This vital context is frequently omitted from Canadian media, framing Palestinians as the aggressors and starting the narrative from October 7th. Continue reading

Even if one accepts the notion that Israel was on the “defensive” for a single day, the criteria for labeling subsequent actions as a counteroffensive must be questioned, especially in light of the ICJ's ruling on the plausibility of genocide. Ultimately, continuing to use this type of language editorializes the situation for your readers in a way that takes a side and undermines impartiality. Continue reading

In conclusion, while I have been critical of your reporting, my aim is constructive and in good faith. I understand that The Concordian is run by student journalists, and I recognize the pressure that pro-Israeli organizations can exert on students to report in a one-sided manner. My aim of this letter is to also extend an olive branch and inform your newsroom that the CJPME Media Accountability Project (MAP) team works hard to support student journalists in reporting fairly on Palestine.  Continue reading

"I believe referring to October 7 as an “anniversary” is problematic. This is something that CJPME MAP staff have also been debating internally as the term “anniversary” almost frames the events of Oct. 7 as celebratory. I believe for both sides of this conflict, anniversary here seems highly inappropriate given the sensitivity of the date. I would recommend the Gazette, as well as other media outlets and Canadian civil society at large, to rethink the term." Continue reading

As a Media Analyst who actively monitors CBC’s coverage of Palestinian issues, I am glad to see that Ms. Anchan rightfully drew upon the rigorous definition of anti-Palestinian racism defined by the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA) which CJPME has been encouraging the CBC to include in their coverage of Palestinian human rights. I believe that Ms. Anchan champions the standards of quality journalism in this story, promoting fair and ethical reporting on Palestinian issues. Continue reading

The article omits critical information, reflecting a troubling pattern in Canadian media that prioritizes Israeli narratives while downplaying or obscuring the realities faced by Palestinians and Lebanese people. By stating that “at least two Canadians have died in the escalating violence in Lebanon,” the article fails to acknowledge the unmistakable fact that these tragic deaths were the direct result of an Israeli airstrike on Ghaziyeh, a village in southern Lebanon. The use of passive voice misguides readers into believing these deaths occurred in a vacuum. This omission is not merely a stylistic choice; it is a significant distortion of the facts that undermines journalistic integrity. Continue reading

The obvious and indisputable reality is that students were attending a Grassy Narrows protest, and as is common at indigenous rallies in Canada, chants were made in solidarity with Palestinians. To state that students were brought to an “anti-Israel” protest is false, sensationalist, and a violation of basic journalistic standards of accuracy according to the Canadian Association of Journalists. You are writing not as a columnist, but as a journalist, and it is necessary to correct this mistake in order to meet the standards to which you are tied. Continue reading

The chart below is taken from the September 18, 2024 UNOCHA update on the situation in Gaza. As you can clearly see, distinctions are clearly made between 4 categories, where the majority of Palestinians killed in Gaza by Israel are women, children, and the elderly. As such, the assertion that the “ministry of health does not distinguish between combatants and civilians” gives the misleading impression that the death toll is primarily composed of combatants, when in fact the majority are civilians. Continue reading