The Media Accountability Project  

Numerous Canadian outlets, including the CBC, have reprinted a highly flawed Associated Press article that reports on Israel’s killing of 15 Palestinian medics and aid workers, based entirely on the Israeli military’s internal findings where they claim the incident as a case of “professional failures.” While AP doesn’t raise skepticism around this statement, they also minimize firsthand Palestinian testimony by the Palestinian Red Crescent Societie (PRCS) and its official rejection of the Israeli military’s report which it describes as “full of lies.”

Mr. Rachini has been a consistent target of conservative media and pro-Israel groups who’ve accused him of anti-Israel bias. These attacks are part of a larger campaign by pro-Israel lobby groups like HonestReporting Canada and CIJA to pressure CBC into adopting a one-sided, pro-Israel narrative. We are encouraging our Media Responders to send Mr. Rachini messages of support. His strong journalistic work ethic has provided some of the best coverage of Palestine by the CBC and it deserves our thanks.

On March 12, 2025, CJPME media analyst Anthony Issa submitted a formal letter to CBC News, calling out its whitewashing of Marco Mendicino’s anti-Palestinian record in its initial coverage of his appointment as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney. The letter criticized CBC’s failure to scrutinize Mendicino’s pro-Israel stance, his vote against a ceasefire in Gaza, and his engagement with Meir Weinstein, former leader of the Jewish Defense League (JDL), a far-right extremist organization classified as a terrorist group by the FBI.

The following day, CBC was forced to issue a follow-up article acknowledging the controversy surrounding Mendicino’s record. The updated coverage included concerns raised by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), divisions within the Liberal Party over Gaza policy, and Mendicino’s past opposition to a ceasefire

This outcome underscores the importance of media accountability in challenging institutional bias and forcing mainstream outlets to address anti-Palestinian racism in Canadian politics.

CJPME remains committed to ensuring that Canadian media does erase Palestinian perspectives.

"Your reporting failed to provide adequate scrutiny expected from reporters on Mendicino’s political record. The segment in question vaguely references “mixed reactions” to Mendicino’s appointment within the Liberal caucus but does not delve into his extensive history of anti-Palestinian rhetoric and policies. Your report merely states that he was a “strong advocate for Israel following the October 7 attacks,” an overly neutral phrasing that conceals the full extent of his record."

"Unfortunately, CBC's description of the episode uncritically perpetuates what appears to be Israeli military propaganda and the episode itself falls into the same trappings."

"Amid relentless pressure from groups like Honest Reporting Canada, it is vital for CBC to uphold journalistic integrity and resist attempts to suppress important narratives. Standing firm on principles of fairness and accountability is essential to platform marginalized Palestinian voices and the growing Palestinian solidarity movement in Canada."

"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."

"If the U.S. were committed to a ceasefire, they would not make such public statements and actions that indicate, on the opposite, that they are prepared to support Israel in its plans. One should present a more balanced and accurate portrayal of the U.S.’s position as it causes prejudice and demonizes the other parties implicated, such as Iran."

"Whether this is a deliberate exclusion, or the result of inadequate research, it is poor journalism. This article is misleading as written and must be edited immediately to maintain minimum standards of objectivity."

"While the Associated Press and CBC’s unwillingness to publish the word “Palestine” in its reporting has always been a form of anti-Palestinian racism, this tendency has become especially offensive and outdated as 143 countries have supported UN resolution to provide new rights and privileges to Palestine, and countries like Norway, Ireland, and Spain have formally recognized the state."