Ahmed Yassin

Coverage of Yassin Killing Too Often Omits Key Information

Within the vast coverage of Israel's targeted killing of Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin and its possible implications for the Middle East, there are several important points that tend to be overlooked or de-emphasized in the media.

BBC’s Profiles Obscure Reality

More than a year ago (2001-2002), BBC posted on its Web site several profiles of Middle Eastern leaders and groups. The profiles whitewashed Palestinian terrorist figures while, at the same time, harshly disparaging the Israeli prime minister. Despite letters to BBC about its unfair and biased features, the profiles remain unrevised on the Web site. Unfortunately, the misinformation in these features has been quoted and repeated as fact in English language newspapers across the world. For BBC to post such blatantly biased profiles is a violation of its own ethical code of impartiality, accuracy and fairness.

Pattern Of Bias

Although NPR has been provided detailed documentation regarding inaccuracy in numerous of its broadcasts, the network has neither addressed the substantive criticism nor issued corrections. This disregard for factual rigor and public accountability violate NPR's own guidelines.

The Hamas “Truce” Offer: Genuine or Fake?

Soon after it became known that the attack in Jordan on Hamas leader Khalid Mish'al involved Israeli agents, media outlets including CNN and the Associated Press reported that 2 days before the attack Hamas had offered Israel a 10 year truce. These reports portrayed the Hamas offer as "credible," and Israel as intransigent for refusing it.