The Media Accountability Project  

"Rather than facilitating an informed discussion about public service, identity, and free expression, the segment endorsed the dangerous idea that support for Palestinian rights — particularly when voiced by racialized public servants — is grounds for censorship."

Presenting this policy as controversial or outside Canadian norms distorts the reality of Canada’s commitments to international law. Such lopsided coverage is an example of CITL-DT ‘manufacturing consent’ in real-time, bombarding Canadians with the message that recognizing Palestinian statehood is a losing policy. It's just not tru

The National Post published an opinion piece by Jesse Kline that dismisses Gaza's casualty figures as "phony," relying heavily on a single, right-wing, highly questionable study by conservative think-tank the Henry Jackson Society (HJS). This piece undermines widely accepted casualty reporting by Gaza’s Ministry of Health and fails to consider the difficulty of institutions collecting data in a genocide. Such writing amounts to genocide denial.

"The definition has been interpreted to label even the slogan “Free Palestine” as antisemitic, setting a deeply troubling precedent that suppresses pro-Palestinian activism. Including this context is essential for readers to critically assess the claims made in your article – and its omission risks Bradford Today endorsing a flawed and highly politicized interpretation of antisemitism."

"The accusation of alleged Hamas members in UNRWA has been proven baseless months ago. According to UNRWA themselves, they have not received any specific allegations regarding systemic diversion of aid in Gaza by Hamas or other armed groups. Should it be revealed to be the case, UNRWA has stated it would strongly condemn any diversion of humanitarian supplies. UNRWA's distribution of aid is implemented through a robust system of oversight and checks, ensuring the safety and appropriate use of the aid."

On Nov. 29, 2024, CJPME Media Analyst Anthony Issa published a letter in The Toronto Star responding to an op-ed by Mark McQueen, a former advisor to Brian Mulroney’s PMO, titled “The Left Is Exposing Its Moral Inconsistencies.”

The op-ed uncritically parrotted the misinformed claim that the Arabic song أهذا سلام (“Is This Peace?”) by Japanese Kuwaiti YouTuber Maryam Shehab, should not have been included in a school ceremony. Critics falsely labeled it as a “Palestinian resistance” song, despite its lyrics promoting harmony and aligning well with the themes of Remembrance Day.

In his letter, Mr. Issa condemned the columnist’s statement as baseless and highlighted the anti-Arab racism underlying McQueen’s exaggerated attack on the song.

While we appreciate The Toronto Star for publishing CJPME’s response to this unjust backlash, we remain deeply concerned about media figures like McQueen. The manufactured backlash, fueled by conservative outrage and media sensationalism, culminated in the defacement of the school’s welcome sign with the words “Hamas High.” By framing “Is This Peace?” As controversial, the media perpetuates anti-Arab sentiments and escalate needless hostility. This form of rage-baiting must end before it causes even further harm. 

CJPME is steadfast in its commitment to defending marginalized communities and standing against all forms of discrimination and injustice across Canada.

"If the school had played an Arabic rendition of Baby Shark, would that, too, be deemed a “resistance song”?  One could easily find Arabic songs about سلام (peace) accompanied by discussions on Gaza, given it’s a main news topic for many Arab-Canadians affected by the situation. This includes Arab students who attend Sir Robert Borden High School."

"Fragmentation of Palestinian land, dispossession of land and property, segregation and control of Palestinian movement and placement, and deprivation of their economic & social rights, according to Amnesty International, have sustained the apartheid system and maintained a Jewish demographic majority in Palestine. Zionist militias violently massacaring 15,000 Palestinians, forcibly expelling over 700,000, and destroying 500 Palestinian towns echoes the belief that one’s country, people, religion or race is inherently superior to the group being attacked, to use your language."

"While Kay complains about “toxic femininity” in Western feminism, this is what she exudes with her opinion piece. Her islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are just all too normalized and harmful while she provides no evidence to back any of the claims she makes."

It is revolting that Canadian media outlets publish such pieces that don’t provide any evidence to back such outrageous claims under the label of news. We don’t expect Toronto Sun and Warren Kinsella to make any changes to his article, but, at the very least, clearly identify his article as opinion.