The Media Accountability Project  

"Why does CBC repeat Israeli propaganda in the subheading when the article exposes it as baseless? Journalistic accuracy depends on clearly differentiating between assertions and facts. If an assertion has not been independently verified, journalistic integrity demands it be reported as the spokesperson’s opinion or perspective, rather than as an established fact. Given that the article directly debunks this claim, the subheading should unequivocally reflect this skepticism."

Mr. Parry then answered by providing the Israeli defence of its crimes with zero context, with no skepticism that challenged the Israeli narrative, nor any mention of anti-war Israeli human rights groups that supported the conclusion of Amnesty International’s report. His reporting was one-sided, unfair, unbalanced, out of context, and thus, unethical.

CBC's reporting on Gaza’s growing lack of humanitarian aid excludes the fact that Israel's blockade of the strip has denied the passage of basic goods like diapers. Israel’s role as the occupying power means it has the legal responsibility to ensure the safe delivery of aid.

"I would like to remind the Toronto Star that my concerns stem from a place of good intention in order to hold journalists and Canadian media accountable in their reporting of Israel-Palestine and raise awareness about harmful stereotypes that vilify Arabs. I look forward to hearing your thoughts."

"Smotrich’s statements advocating, say, the starvation of 2 million Gazans, is inconvenient for Western politicians—including in Canada— who justify Israel’s atrocities as an act of self-defence. They ignore the fact that most people in Gaza have already been the victims of dispossession and displacement, as well as being blockaded in what’s been described as the world’s largest open-air prison."

Your article was exemplary, offering the exact kind of context we advocate for at CJPME in reporting on Palestine-Israel from highlighting the Nakba and the ICJ ruling regarding Israel’s possibility of committing genocide in Gaza to elevating pro-Palestine voices - ensuring they are not buried at the end of the article.

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.

The article usefully juxtaposes Israeli claims with remarks from the UN that attacks on first responders has reduced aid to “a trickle.” Too often Israeli claims are taken at face value, allowing them to get away with what are later revealed to be outright lies.

"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."

"Thank you for bringing attention to the resilience of Palestinians despite Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and its ongoing genocide. We encourage you to continue highlighting their stories and the brutal realities they are enduring."