CBC instructs reporters not to refer to Hamas as ‘terrorists’ in memo.
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
2:43 PM – Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Recent leaked emails revealed the strict guidelines imposed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on its reporters when using the term “terrorist” in relation to Israel’s conflict with Hamas.
“Do not refer to militants, soldiers, or anyone else as ‘terrorists.’ The notion of terrorism remains heavily politicized and is part of the story,” emphasized CBC’s director of journalistic standards, George Achi, in an email to employees on Saturday.
The CBC executive instructed writers to ensure that readers and viewers understood that the use of the term ”terrorist” was an expression of “opinion, not fact.”
“Even when quoting/clipping a government or a source referring to fighters as ‘terrorists,’ we should add context to ensure the audience understands this is opinion, not fact,” he added.
The American organization ”Stop Antisemitism” first shared the leaked email on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The email also discouraged journalists from declaring that 2005 marked “the end” of Israel’s occupation.
“Please do not describe 2005 as ‘the end of the occupation’ as Israel has maintained control over airspace, seafront, and virtually all movement into or out of the area,” the email read. “Our description should be fact-based, referring to the end of permanent Israeli military presence on the ground.”
A CBC official confirmed the authenticity of the internal email to press sources, stating that the CBC’s approach aligns with that of other reputable news organizations.
“CBC News attributes the words ‘terrorist’ and ‘terrorism’ to authorities, politicians, and other officials who use these terms. There is no ban on these words. However, we ourselves avoid declaring specific groups terrorists, in line with the policies of many reputable news organizations and agencies around the world,” the spokesperson said.
“The focus of our news coverage is on describing exactly what happened in detail, as we have with all that has transpired this weekend. Our approach has been consistent and ensured CBC’s journalism over decades of conflict in the Middle East lives up to our commitment to accuracy, balance, and fairness.”
Following the unexpected attack on Israel, Jewish activists have criticized media sources for referring to Hamas as “militants” or “soldiers” instead of terrorists.
“Soldiers don’t kidnap little toddlers. They don’t kidnap grandmothers. They don’t go around neighborhoods just firing indiscriminately into homes or setting fire to the bomb shelters to force people to come out so they can murder them on the spot,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, has also strongly criticized media coverage, including MSNBC, for adopting language that sympathizes with Hamas.
“I must say, I love this show, and I love this network. But I’ve got to ask, who’s writing the scripts? Hamas, the people who did this, they are not fighters. … They are not militants. I’m looking right at the camera: They are terrorists. It is a barbarian who rapes and brutalizes women, who kills children in front of their parents and then brings them over to Gaza,” he said.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
In the second part of an exclusive interview, one Jewish advocate explains how Hamas’ conflict with Israel differs from Russia’s war with Ukraine.
As indiscriminate rockets target both Israeli and Arab citizens, the IDF is preparing to enter Gaza in response.
Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reveals the potential consequences of President Biden’s foreign policy.
Despite claiming unwavering support for Israel, President Biden faces criticism as Hamas terrorists continue to launch rockets.
Samsung reports a smaller-than-expected 78% drop in preliminary third-quarter profit.
The EU’s industry chief demands that Meta provide information on measures taken to combat disinformation on its platforms within 24 hours.
EU antitrust regulators seek input from Microsoft’s users and rivals on whether Bing should comply with new stringent tech rules.
Shares of Arm Holdings rise 3% following a wave of positive ratings from Wall Street analysts.
rnrn
Why do some Jewish activists and organizations criticize CBC’s guidelines on labeling Hamas as terrorists?
Title: CBC’s Guidelines on the Use of the Term “Terrorist” in Coverage of Israel-Hamas Conflict Spark Controversy
Introduction
Recently leaked internal emails from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) have shed light on the stringent guidelines imposed on its reporters when referring to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The emails reveal that the CBC instructs its journalists to exercise caution when using the term “terrorist” in relation to Hamas. This directive has sparked criticism from Jewish activists and other organizations who argue that Hamas should be labeled as terrorists due to their violent actions. This article will explore the controversy surrounding the CBC’s guidelines and the arguments presented by both sides.
CBC’s Guidelines on the Use of the Term “Terrorist”
According to the leaked emails, CBC’s director of journalistic standards, George Achi, emphasized that the term “terrorist” is highly politicized and should be treated as an expression of opinion, rather than a fact. These guidelines direct writers to ensure that the audience understands that the use of the term ”terrorist” is subjective and should be presented within a broader context.
Furthermore, the emails also discourage journalists from using language that implies the end of Israel’s occupation in 2005. Instead, the focus should be on factual reporting regarding the end of permanent Israeli military presence on the ground.
CBC’s Stance and Public Reaction
A CBC official confirmed the authenticity of the leaked email and claimed that this approach aligns with the guidelines followed by many reputable news organizations worldwide. The spokesperson reiterated that CBC News attributes the words “terrorist” and “terrorism” to authorities, politicians, and officials who use these terms. However, the CBC itself refrains from labeling specific groups as terrorists.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...