The Gray Lady silently withdraws another false accusation against Israel
A Newspaper’s Deceptive Reporting: Unveiling the Truth
A newspaper can cleverly mask its reporting failures by labeling a story as “updated” instead of admitting to its own malpractice through a correction. This was evident in a recent headline on the front page of the Sunday New York Times, which boldly claimed that “Israel has killed more women and children than have been killed in Ukraine.” The shocking statement raised questions about the Israeli military’s actions compared to those of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s forces in Ukraine.
However, the story turned out to be too sensational to be true. By Sunday afternoon, the headline mysteriously vanished from the digital version of the Times’ article. Later, the Times added substantial information contradicting its initial claim, revealing that the death toll in Ukraine was actually much higher than in Gaza. Unfortunately, the only indication of these changes was a small note stating that the story had been “updated.”
The Manipulation of Data
The New York Times based its initial story on two data points that, when taken out of context, seemed to suggest that Israel’s actions were as brutal as Putin’s. For the Gaza figures, the Times relied on information from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, which claimed that 14,000 Palestinians, including 10,000 women and children, had been killed.
However, trusting politically sensitive data from a Hamas-run agency is highly problematic. The Times had previously fallen for the ministry’s claims, such as the alleged slaughter of 500 Palestinians in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza’s al-Ahli Hospital. This story quickly unraveled when evidence pointed to a misfire by a Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli bomb.
Despite admitting that its coverage relied too heavily on Hamas claims, the Times and other news outlets still consider the ministry’s death tolls to be reliable. This confidence persists even though the ministry fails to distinguish between fighters and civilians, and Hamas gunmen often fight in civilian attire. Thus, the Times ran with the figure of 10,000 women and children killed in Gaza.
When it came to Ukraine, the Times did not compare the Gaza figures to data from a Ukrainian ministry, but instead turned to a U.N. data set that warned the actual figures were likely much higher. Nevertheless, the Times proceeded with the lower numbers, reporting 9,806 civilian deaths in Ukraine, including 2,756 women and 531 children.
The Hidden Truth
Without a formal correction, it is unclear why the Times changed both its story and the headline. However, a crucial addition to the updated version provides a clue. The story now mentions that Ukrainian officials estimate over 20,000 civilians died in the port city of Mariupol, a figure that, if confirmed, would undermine the Times’ portrayal of Israel as more savage than Putin.
Furthermore, the revised version of the Times’ story fails to inform readers that Ukraine’s top war crimes prosecutor estimated the real civilian death toll could be as high as 100,000. However, a full investigation cannot take place until Ukraine regains control of the territory currently held by the Kremlin.
Another striking difference between Gaza and Ukraine is the contrasting efforts to protect civilians. The Ukrainian government has constructed bomb shelters in metro stations and other facilities to minimize civilian casualties from Russian airstrikes. In contrast, Hamas focuses its construction efforts on building tunnels for its fighters, often beneath schools and other civilian areas.
When questioned about the lack of bomb shelters for civilians, a top Hamas official deflected responsibility, stating that it was the United Nations’ duty to protect them. For Hamas, civilians serve as human shields, either deterring Israeli strikes or increasing the death toll to generate media attention and pressure on Israel.
Transparency and Accountability
While the New York Times eventually retracted its false accusation against Israel, the absence of transparency and accountability for the authors and editors responsible for such misleading reporting raises concerns. Without proper consequences, similar mistakes are likely to occur again and again.
David Adesnik is a senior fellow and director of research at FDD. He is currently working on a coauthored book about the conflict between Israel and Iran.
How does the New York Times’ reliance on politically biased sources in its reporting on Gaza raise concerns about the objectivity of its journalism?
Doubt, the New York Times’ deceptive reporting raises concerns about the newspaper’s integrity and the credibility of its journalism. By cherry-picking data and neglecting to provide a comprehensive, accurate picture, the Times intentionally or unintentionally misleads its readers and perpetuates a false narrative.
One of the most glaring issues with the New York Times’ reporting is its reliance on politically biased sources. In the case of Gaza, the newspaper uncritically accepts information from the Hamas-run Ministry of Health, despite its known history of propaganda and misinformation. This demonstrates a clear bias in favor of Palestinian narratives and raises doubts about the objectivity of the Times’ reporting.
Furthermore, the Times’ acceptance of the Hamas-run ministry’s death tolls without proper verification or differentiation between combatants and civilians is problematic. By failing to distinguish between fighters and non-combatants, the Times perpetuates the false notion that Israel intentionally targets innocent civilians. This not only distorts the reality of the conflict but also undermines Israel’s right to self-defense.
A similar issue arises when comparing the Gaza figures to those in Ukraine. Instead of seeking data from the Ukrainian government or reputable international sources, the Times relies on a U.N. data set that acknowledges the likelihood of higher figures. By deliberately choosing the lower numbers, the Times cherry-picks data to fit its narrative and creates a misleading comparison between Israel and Russia.
The ramifications of such deceptive reporting are significant. Inaccurate and biased coverage contributes to the demonization of Israel and serves as a catalyst for anti-Israel sentiment and actions. By distorting the facts and framing Israel’s actions as equivalent to those of aggressive forces, the New York Times irresponsibly fans the flames of conflict and perpetuates a false narrative that undermines efforts towards peace and understanding.
The fact that the New York Times quietly updated its article instead of issuing a public correction demonstrates a lack of transparency and accountability. It allows the newspaper to avoid taking responsibility for its deceptive reporting and prevents readers from recognizing the errors that were made. Such practices erode trust in the media and raise important questions about the role of journalism in today’s society.
In conclusion, the New York Times’ deceptive reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Ukraine reveals a disturbing pattern of bias and manipulation of facts. By cherry-picking data, the Times crafts a false narrative that perpetuates hostility and undermines efforts towards peace and understanding. This serves as a reminder to readers to approach news critically and seek out multiple perspectives to form a more accurate understanding of complex issues.
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