The Media Accountability Project  

Writing that “Half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people” are “gathered” in Rafah makes it seem like they are reuniting and having a gathering in Rafah because of voluntary choice, which is not true and obfuscates Israel’s responsibility and actions that led to Palestinians going to Rafah. Palestinians are being forcibly displaced to Rafah because Israel has been targeting everyone everywhere and has left no safe zone from its bombardment campaign

"I would, therefore, recommend editing the sentence to the following: 'The Nakba marks the ethnic cleansing and forced expulsion of Palestinians from their land to establish the State of Israel in 1948.' At the very least, please replace 'mass displacement' with 'forced expulsion'."

"When you refer to Israeli hostages, prisoners, and deaths, you clearly identify the perpetrators as Hamas. Yet, you fail to identify Israel as the perpetrator when you report that ‘33,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory attacks’. I would ask that you consider adding “by Israel” to the end of that sentence."

"Considering that most of Israel’s actions in Gaza both before and after Oct. 7 qualify as terrorism, labeling Hamas’ actions as terrorism but not Israel’s is a blatant double standard."

"The term “occupy” denotes tension and a sense of contestation, which is far more appropriate. Similarly, the consistent reference to settler encroachment on Palestinian land as “contested” and not “illegal” is misleading to readers. Please make edits accordingly to maintain minimum journalistic standards."

Towards the end of the article, you write that “hundreds of thousands have been displaced”, whereas the accurate figure, reported by the United Nations Population Fund and other International Organizations, stands at approximately 1.7 million Palestinians. Describing the displacement as "hundreds of thousands" is inaccurate and minimizes the gravity of the situation.

"Instead of ambiguous statements about Israel’s military assault on Gaza, like writing that it’s caused “widespread devastation,” I’d recommend opting for a more precise and descriptive account."

"The use of the word 'operation' to describe Israel’s military siege on Al-Shifa hospital is particularly problematic. Please precede the word 'operation' with 'military,” or opt for the most specific description: 'military siege'."

On April 11, 2024, writing in Tri-City News, journalist Mario Bartel claimed that the protest chant “From the river to sea, Palestine will be free” had been “co-opted” by Hamas. After a CJPME complaint that pointed out such commentary was inappropriate in a news article, as well as it being reductive and inaccurate, the article was corrected.

While this inflammatory and misleading remark was removed, the article still alleges that this chant “has come to sew fear in Jewish communities around the world.” Given that the slogan is widely used by Jewish groups around the world, this comment remains unfair and violates journalistic standards. CJPME is committed to challenging one-sided and harmful portrayals of peaceful protesters in Canada’s media.

"Considering this is the first instance of you vaguely alluding to 'violence' in the article, it should be precise and descriptive. Instead, I implore you to consider using 'Israel’s military assault and blockade on Gaza' as a substitute for the 'ongoing wave of violence in Gaza'."