There is no better illustration of the prevailing political advocacy journalism than the recent coverage of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s announcement about the current administration’s position on Israeli settlements.
While The Washington Post headline whitewashing Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as an "austere religious scholar" was particularly egregious given that ISIS is the world's most dangerous terror group, it is not unique. Other terrorists who received favorable media coverage include Brussels terrorist Mehdi Nammouche (pictured), convicted bomber Rasmeah Odeh, hijacker Leila Khaled and more.
CAMERA prompts improved after AP incorrectly reported that Facebook suspended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's account for a post saying "Arabs want to annihilate us." A New York Times Op-Ed by Raja Shehadeh also errs.
For AP or other reporters to ask Palestinians about rejection of peace proposals would require them to act like real journalists, rather than pro-Palestinian activists. Any reporter who fails to ask such questions is either unaware of the basic facts, or is a propagandist. Either way it is inexcusable.
When is a "worshipper" not a worshipper? Reuters and AP captions misidentify Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount, forbidden from prayers and rituals, as "worshippers." The agencies also mischaracterize Muslims engaged in violence against police as "worshippers."
Given the complicated geopolitical realities of the disputed city of Jerusalem, journalists have a particular responsibility to be precise. That was not the case, however, when several news reports this week inaccurately placed the demolished Wadi Hummus buildings in Jerusalem.
For the second time this year, CAMERA prompts correction of an Associated Press article which wrongly used the term "Palestine." The article is still marred, however, by omission of the fact that much of the international community views Hamas as a terror group.
The AP declines to correct a false headline that sick Gaza girl "dies alone." The article itself contradicts the headline, accurately reporting that Aisha a-Lulu died after returning to the Gaza Strip following unsuccessful treatment in Jerusalem.
After AP captions initially only cited Hamas' claim that an Israeli airstrike killed a one-year-old baby and her relative in Gaza City, CAMERA prompts the wire service to add that a detailed review by the Israeli military found that in fact a misfired Palestinian rocket was at fault.
