ANKARA: The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has not only been marked by the devastating deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians but has also exposed Western media’s pro-Israeli bias and sparked criticism from within the journalistic community.
Hundreds of journalists have signed a letter accusing Western media outlets of biased reporting on the Gaza war, citing an alleged pro-Israeli narrative and the dehumanization of Palestinians, particularly women and children.
British journalist Harry Fear, known for his documentary “Gaza: Still Alive,” expressed concerns about what he perceives as biased reporting by Western media outlets. Fear criticized the “overarching storytelling” in Western media, stating that it is predominantly based on the Israeli narrative.
Harry Fear emphasized that mainstream media often focuses on unverified information about Israeli civilians while neglecting the suffering of Palestinian civilians, especially children who have borne the brunt of the conflict for years.
Western Media’s Choice of Language
The journalists singled out the BBC, CNN, and other reputable Western media organizations for their choice of language when covering the Gaza conflict. They highlighted the distinct terminology used by the British public broadcaster, referring to those killed in Gaza as having “died” and those in Israel as having been “killed.” They argued that this linguistic choice creates an implicit bias, distorting the perception of the war’s impact on both parties.
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The journalists criticized mainstream media outlets for what they perceived as a lack of empathy toward Palestinian civilians. They argued that Palestinians are often dehumanized and categorized as “unpeople” in the media narrative, echoing the terminology used by Israeli officials.
Furthermore, journalists raised concerns about the rapid dissemination of false and manipulative news regarding the conflict, emphasizing the ongoing information and propaganda war between Israel and Palestinians. They highlighted instances where unverified claims, such as Hamas beheading 40 Israeli babies, were propagated in the media landscape without supporting evidence.
