The Media Accountability Project  

On Jan. 20, 2025, during a CBC broadcast on the ceasefire in Gaza, Anchor Natasha Fatah dismissed the term genocide during a CBC News interview with Palestinian-Canadian Israa Alsaafin, who was mourning her brother's death in Gaza. This response exemplified CBC’s editorial choices that actively dehumanize and marginalize Palestinian perspectives. When Ms. Alsaafin shared how her brother was killed in what she described as a genocide, the anchor responded by stating that “‘war’ is more appropriate” and asserting that “we [CBC reporters] cannot use that word [genocide] to describe what is happening.”

Following this shameful segment, CJPME’s MAP team issued a media alert on the broadcast calling out the CBC for reprimanding a Palestinian on air for the words she used reflecting her lived experience. 

The broad grassroots pushback against this broadcast pressured the CBC to issue a formal correction:

“On Jan. 20, during an interview on CBC News Network, a guest used the word genocide to describe the actions of Israel in Gaza. As part of her response, our host stated, "we cannot use that word to describe what is happening…" In fact, CBC News does not prohibit specific words in our reporting, but instead requires precise attribution and reporting on the debates that shape public policy, including debates about language. This was not made clear in this instance and the host's comment left an inaccurate representation of CBC standards.”

This statement represents a significant step forward in holding media organizations accountable for their coverage of Palestinian narratives. Such an admission by our public broadcaster is rare. By raising concerns about the dismissal of the term genocide and the lack of empathy during a critical interview, CJPME and its allies successfully compelled CBC to publicly address the issue. While the CBC's response falls short in many ways, it is a win in the battle for better media coverage nonetheless.

Such corrections must be accompanied by proactive steps to include diverse voices and uphold ethical journalism standards, ensuring that Palestinian suffering and narratives are fairly represented by the CBC.

"When Ms. Alsaafin shared how her brother was killed in what she described as a genocide, the anchor responded by stating that “‘war’ is more appropriate” and asserting that “we [CBC reporters] cannot use that word [genocide] to describe what is happening.” MAP responders can review the transcript of this exchange or watch the full video."

"Of course, we’re not interested in dialogue with someone who denies Israel’s genocide in occupied Gaza – since when do the colonizer and the colonized sit at the same table? By failing to challenge these statements, The Stony Plain Reporter is complicit in spreading the dangerous narrative that pro-Palestinian supporters are a threat, which unfairly delegitimizes the entire, overwhelmingly peaceful pro-Palestine movement in Canada."

Why is this not enough? Why is Palestinian testimony being treated as secondary?  

"Already back in November the BBC filmed Israeli construction in the buffer zone. Now we see that Netanyahu has ordered the military to remain in Mt. Hermon and announced 40 million shekels to increase the settler population in the occupied Golan Heights."

"Kinsella’s harrowing tale of Yousef’s journey from potential Hamas leader to Mossad agent rings hollow when it’s used to legitimize Muslim hate speech. That’s not a very punk opinion if you ask me."

Following public pressure via a Media Alert campaign by CJPME, Orillia Matters has removed a deeply concerning letter to the editor that was heavily riddled with anti-Palestinian racism.

This editorial decision comes after the CJPME MAP team pointed out that the letter contained numerous factual inaccuracies and harmful rhetoric such as framing Palestinian rights supporters as terrorist sympathizers.

CJPME also expressed concerns about the letter’s use of orientalist and anti-Palestinian language, including phrases like “pro-Hamas supporters” when referring to pro-Palestinian activists, the inaccurate assertion that Palestinians celebrated violence against civilians and the false claim that the Gaza health ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and militants.

Orillia Matters ultimately removed the letter, responding to CJPME’s Media Analyst, Anthony Issa, with the message:

“Hi. Thank you for your email. The letter has been removed because it does not meet our editorial standards. I apologize.

Sincerely,

Dave Dawson, Community Editor.”

While this action demonstrates Orillia Matters’ partial commitment to editorial standards, CJPME questions the decision to publish the letter in the first place as it was so staunchly racist. CJPME expects that this outcome prompts Orillia Matters to reflect on its editorial processes and improve coverage of topics impacting marginalized communities in Canada, especially Palestinian Canadians.

Lastly, the CJPME team remains grateful for its dedicated Media Responders for their ongoing persistence. These coordinated efforts of solidarity highlight that we can hold media accountable and combat one-sided narratives on Palestine.  If you are not already signed up, please become a Media Responder by clicking here.

On October 21, 2024, CJPME sent a letter to CBC News requesting a revision to its problematic coverage of anti-Palestinian racism in an article published on October 20, 2024.

CBC had referred to B.C. Conservative candidate Brent Chapman’s racist comments about Palestinians as “alleged” and “seen as racist,” minimizing the hateful nature of his statements. Chapman’s remarks, which included offensive and dehumanizing stereotypes, were clear examples of anti-Palestinian racism. CJPME called for more accurate and direct reporting, urging CBC to remove such euphemisms. We emphasized that, while qualifiers may be appropriate in cases of legitimate doubt, they were entirely inappropriate in this instance of unequivocal hate speech.

Following sustained advocacy from CJPME, CBC acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that the article was updated to explicitly state that Chapman’s remarks constitute anti-Palestinian racism. The terms “alleged” and “seen as racist” were removed from the article.

This is an important step toward ensuring that anti-Palestinian racism is accurately recognized and reported in Canadian media, without the use of language that unnecessarily casts doubt on the seriousness of hate speech against Palestinians.

CJPME remains committed to holding media outlets accountable for biased coverage and advocating for responsible journalism that upholds fairness and accuracy.

"The whole letter essentially conflates pro-Palestinian advocacy with terrorism from beginning to end. This is a form of anti-Palestinian racism designed to conflate advocacy for Palestinian human rights by defaming protesters as terrorist threats and sympathizers. This kind of rhetoric is harmful, racist and should never have been published in its current form. Orillia Matters should be held accountable for amplifying it."

"Ms. Robinson omits that her dismissal was not for 'impolitic words,' but rather due to public backlash over her dismissive and racist remarks about historic Palestine, where she referred to it as 'a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.'"