KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Reuters and CBC acknowledged that Francesca Albanese is controversial but omitted her most inflammatory statements and associations.
- Albanese has been accused of invoking antisemitic conspiracy theories, comparing Israelis to Nazis, endorsing extreme anti-Israel rhetoric and expressing support for “resistance” at a Hamas-organized conference.
- If her allegations against Israel merit coverage, her extremist statements and controversies are equally newsworthy.
In a September 7 article by the Thomson Reuters news wire and republished by CBC News, “Israeli clearance of Gaza rubble could destroy evidence of ‘atrocity crimes,’ says UN expert,” readers were informed that Francesca Albanese, a United Nations official, had complained that cleaning up rubble following two years of war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas terrorists was “a way to erase traces of atrocity crimes and another means to entrench Israel’s illegal occupation.”
The article did note some of the criticisms surrounding Albanese noting that she “has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.” It also added that France, Germany and Italy had condemned “what they said were her overly negative statements about Israel,” and that the United States had sanctioned her.
Reuters and CBC Omit Albanese’s Most Damning Record
However, while these were important details to be included, the article did not address the most scandalous and controversial statements actually made by Albanese, and what has made her such a highly questionable figure.
As documented by UNWatch, Albanese has claimed the United States is controlled by the “Jewish lobby,” has compared Israelis to Nazis and has promoted statements calling Israel “the incarnation of evil,” and the group has stated that she “knowingly supports Hamas and other terrorist groups.”
Albanese even spoke at a Hamas-organized conference by video, telling attendees that “you have the right to resist this occupation.”
It is thus unsurprising that Albanese has found support from within Hamas. Indeed, the article notes that the Palestinian terrorist group said it appreciated Albanese’s warning. This endorsement by Hamas speaks volumes about Albanese, but readers were given little context for why a United Nations official whose comments are welcomed by a Palestinian terrorist should be treated as an authoritative voice on Israel and Gaza.
A “Vocal Critic” Is Not a Credible or Neutral Authority
Thus, to describe Francesca Albanese simply as a “vocal critic” of Israel significantly overlooks the serious controversies which continue to dog her. But Albanese is not an isolated individual; she enjoys a major platform with the United Nations, and news media outlets have continued to present her statements as if they were inherently credible.
While this article did note (at least in broad terms) some of the criticisms of Albanese, that does not make up for the fact that her bizarre complaint (echoed by Hamas, no less) was nevertheless elevated to the status of a standalone news story.
This is hardly the first time that the Canadian news media has provided Albanese with uncritical coverage and a platform where she has leveled outlandish anti-Israel allegations. Outlets ranging from CTV News, Le Devoir, CBC radio, and even the Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy have all interviewed or cited Albanese as a credible official, all while failing to note her controversies or challenge her.
If Albanese’s Allegations Are Newsworthy, So Is Her Extremism
Francesca Albanese’s history of making anti-Israel statements is certainly nothing new. However, the Canadian news media has a responsibility to consider carefully whether her words are newsworthy simply because she made them. And if outlets are going to publish her condemnations of Israel, then it also ought to share her conspiracy theories, rather than simply obliquely referring to criticisms being made against her. Failing to do so bestows undeserved credibility upon her.
Photo credit: Francesca Albanese
