The Media Accountability Project  

The article’s headline is misleading. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported that 244,000 Palestinians in Gaza, or 12% of the population, were already facing Phase 5 levels of catastrophic hunger, as observed in April 2025 - May 2025. That is according to the very report you cite. Gaza is not “at critical risk of famine if Israel doesn’t end its blockade,” rather, Gaza already is at risk of famine because of Israel’s blockade.

On May 8, 2025, CTV News published an Associated Press article titled “Leading aid group shuts down its soup kitchens across Gaza over Israel’s blockade.” While the piece highlighted Israel’s use of starvation as a weapon of war, it also relied on biased language and framing that violated journalistic standards.

CJPME volunteer Nikki Mutch submitted a detailed media accountability letter raising serious concerns about the use of the term “extremists” to describe Hamas, contrasted with euphemistic descriptions of Israeli military actions.

As a result of this letter, the AP/CTV team removed the word “extremist” from the article. This is a meaningful editorial correction that directly aligns with CJPME’s call for accurate, fair, and balanced reporting. It also signals that media outlets are paying attention to public pressure and ethical accountability.

CJPME commends this correction and will to challenge anti-Palestinian bias in Canadian media.

"The article cites Israel’s justification for the blockade without challenge. This framing is blatantly misleading. Hamas agreed to release all remaining hostages as part of a phased ceasefire deal—a deal Israel violated in order to continue its military assault on Gaza."

"As an occupying power, Israel is bound by the Fourth Geneva Convention, which mandates the provision of essential supplies to the civilian population under occupation. The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid, leading to widespread deprivation, has been characterized by the United Nations, mainstream media and human rights organizations as a war crime, specifically the use of starvation as a method of warfare."

"Though the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza does not distinguish between civilians and combatants using those specific terms, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) relies on data from the Gaza MoH to provide detailed breakdowns by gender and age in its official reports."

"The term “captured” suggests a sense of permanence or legal legitimacy to Israel’s control, which is contrary to the principles of international law. In contrast, “occupied” reflects the ongoing military control of these areas, as consistently described by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN. Failing to use the correct term misleads readers and undermines the accuracy and integrity of your reporting."

"It is very clear that CTV News has closed itself off from having meaningful dialogue with its readers. Considering this lack of responsiveness and accountability, I am curious whether there is a more useful contact at CTV News. If so, please pass it on. Otherwise, I would appreciate a direct confirmation that CTV News is not interested in engaging with constructive feedback or improving its reporting practices."

"It is clear that AP used Israel's own words for its headline, which makes this article biased and in violation of journalistic standards. I, therefore, ask you to change your headline and any reference to Sinwar as 'the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks' in your article."

"It would be more appropriate and accurate to refer to the “shadowy military facility” as a detention center or to use its actual name: Sde Teiman detention facility."

"By focusing on Netanyahu’s visit and speech, the article turned the attention away from the fact that Israel is still waging its genocide. Failing to mention this essential piece of information emphasizes the importance of adding context and illustrates how controversial his visit and speech were."