The Media Accountability Project  

"Hamas does play an important role in Gaza in the same way that an inmate in a prison cell has a certain autonomy in his own cell. Nevertheless, just as it is the prison warden who is truly in control of the prison, Israel is truly in control of what happens in Gaza. Hamas does not control who or what goes in and out of Gaza, and any influence it may have over energy, water, airspace, cell access, etc. is at the pleasure of Israel – the occupying power."

I first want to acknowledge CBC’s prompt efforts in correcting what had been a factual error. Whereas a previous ‘correction’ had erroneously stated as fact that the Gaza Strip is “not occupied,” the updated text on the public tracking page has a far more accurate description of  Gaza’s legal status. However, there are still issues with how this status is represented, as the text uses a “both sides” framing while minimizing the authority of those who say that Gaza is occupied.

"On April 5, 2023, a CBC Radio presenter on the World at Six accurately described the Gaza Strip as 'occupied,' as part of an excellent series on recent events in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The following day, however, CBC aired an erroneous correction which claimed: 'Last night, we made a reference to the Gaza Strip being ‘occupied.’ The territory is not occupied, but rather has its borders controlled by Israel and Egypt.'

Unfortunately, with this on-air 'correction,' CBC presented a statement of opinion as a statement of fact. Contrary to what CBC has asserted, the international community overwhelmingly views the Gaza Strip as occupied by Israel. This error must be acknowledged with an on-air correction."

I appreciate that you published an article about new virtual reality classrooms in the occupied Gaza strip. It is important for publications like Toronto Telegraph to provide Palestinian stories to Canadian audiences. Although you do describe Gaza as an “impoverished coastal enclave” at one point in the article, you provide absolutely no context as to why the region is “impoverished” or under duress. You have a journalistic responsibility to provide such context to the reader. 

In your article, you fail to mention that Israel is militarily occupying the Gaza strip according to international law. Further, since 2007, Israel has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the strip. Israel’s blockade on Gaza amounts to a “denial of basic human rights in contravention of international law and amounts to collective punishment,” according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Occupied Palestinian territory.

As a result of omitting this necessary context, the article fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in Gaza face, and does not properly capture the severe human cost of Israel’s 15-year-long illegal blockade and siege.

During a moment of violent upheaval, this article brings a sense of humanity to an otherwise fraught media landscape in Canada. I want to bring particular attention to your citation of a Palestinian human rights organization, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. All too often, the actions of Palestinian civil society organizations are excluded from the conversation. I am glad to note your inclusion of their work.

"The segment incorrectly describes the West Bank as 'disputed' and Gaza as a 'conflict zone.' According to international law, both the West Bank and Gaza strip constitute Palestinian territories under Israeli military occupation. This is not an opinion but represents the international legal consensus as confirmed by the United Nations Security Council, the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. We insist that future reporting correctly identifies the West Bank and Gaza as Palestinian territories occupied by Israel."

"Overall, the article does a fine job at providing context for the recent rise in tensions and violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. However, I would like to draw your attention to two significant issues.

First, the article mentions that Hamas “rules the Gaza strip.” Referring to Gaza only as “the Gaza strip” obscures the fact that Gaza is militarily-occupied territory according to international law. In doing so, the article fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in Gaza face, and does not properly capture the severe restrictions as a result of Israel’s 15 year-long illegal blockade and siege.[1] The Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA) encourages journalists to avoid the language of “Hamas-controlled” or “Hamas-ruled” for this same reason, as it minimizes Israel’s control as an occupying power.[2]"

"We applaud you for shedding light on the tragic story of a Palestinian family killed in Turkey’s earthquake, among seventy other Palestinians who were victims of the natural disaster. It is imperative for publications like Saltwire to provide the Palestinian perspective to Canadian audiences. However, the article is missing context which is crucial for readers to be able to understand the reality of the Israeli occupation.

In the article, you mention that Abu Jalhoum “fled war and poverty in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.” Referring to Gaza only as “Palestinian territory” obscures the fact that Gaza is militarily-occupied territory according to international law. In doing so, the article fails to adequately describe the oppressive situation that Palestinians in Gaza face, and does not properly capture the severe restrictions as a result of Israel’s 15 year-long illegal blockade and siege.[1]"