April 22, 2022: Subsequent to HonestReporting Canada’s complaint to CBC News sent on April 21, our public broadcaster has corrected its previously falsely reporting that “Palestinians threw rocks in response” to Israeli Police action, by reversing the chronology of events. As well, per HRC’s request, CBC also covered recent Palestinian rocket attacks against Israeli civilians.
January 28, 2022: In a review dated January 28, 2022, CBC Ombudsman Jack Nagler responded to a complaint about a May 11, 2021 broadcast on The National (watch by clicking below), where reporter Saša Petricic described the Hamas-Israel rocket exchange by suggesting that it was Israel who fired first, whereas in truth, it was the Islamist terrorist group. This misrepresentation was pointed out at the time by HonestReporting Canada who filed a complaint directly with CBC News and mobilized our subscribers and Canadians from coast to coast to take action. In his report, Nagler denied there was any bias on the part of Petricic, but acknowledged that viewers would have been given a false impression of the chronology of events.Nagler wrote (emphasis added) “It would have been wiser to choose between reporting explicitly on the chronology, or avoiding it altogether. Instead, there was only the passing reference, which left a sliver of ambiguity – just enough that its meaning could be misinterpreted. In that sense, the report failed to live up to the JSP (Journalistic Standards and Practices); the language used was not precise enough to ensure that the report was faithful and easy to understand… There was a violation of policy.”
Green Party Leader Annamie Paul Didn’t Claim Israel Used “Excessive Force” In Conflict With Hamas: HRC Prompts CBC Correction: CorrectionsThis story has been updated from an earlier version that said incorrectly that Green Party Leader Annamie Paul’s statement called for a ceasefire and condemned both Palestinian “rocket attacks” and “excessive Israeli military force.” In fact, her statement said the “dangerous situation that is unfolding is extremely disturbing” and that the Green Party called for “an immediate de-escalation in the violence and a return to dialogue as a means to seeking a peaceful solution.”Jul 19, 2021 4:00 PM ET
May 27, 2021: After Honest Reporting Canada issued its alert and our subscribers sent complaints, CBC News surreptitiously amended Margaret Evans’ online article to now say that “#Israel said more than 4,300 rockets were fired at the country by #Hamas and other militant groups from the #Gaza Strip during the recent conflict, most of which were intercepted by Israel’s missile defence system.”
May 10, 2021: After an HRC complaint, Globe and Mail amends article about recent hostilities between Israel and Palestinians to acknowledge up to date number of rockets fired at Israel, that Palestinian rioters threw stones at Israeli police, and to clarify Hamas claims about Palestinian casualties.
May 10, 2019: “A May 6 Associated Press article about Israel and Hamas trading rocket fire state that according to Palestinian authorities, two Palestinian pregnant women and two babies died as a result of Israeli air strikes. As was stated in the version of that AP article published on the Star’s website, the Israeli army denied involvement in one of the deaths, the death of a 37 year-old pregnant woman and her 14-month-old niece, saying that they were killed by an errant Palestinian rocket. The AP report stated that there was no way to reconcile these claims.”
March 12, 2019: Once again, Neil Macdonald has spread mistruths about Israel, abetted by the CBC News website. Once again, Honest Reporting Canada has caught him in the act prompting the CBC to issue a “clarification” for his falsely claiming that Israel restricts food aid to Gaza.
CBC Online: February 27, 2019: A previous version of this story stated that the United Nations estimated more than 200 Palestinians were killed during the Great March of Return demonstrations. In fact, the UN estimated 171 Palestinians were killed during the demonstrations from March 30 until the end of October 2018, and a further 57 people were killed in “other contexts,” including “Palestinian attacks, Israeli airstrikes and infiltration attempts into Israel” during that period.Feb 27, 2019 12:46 PM ET
CBC Radio: November 14, 2018: Subsequent to HRC’s complaint sent to CBC News at 11:16am on November 12 and the release of our media action alert, we are pleased to note that CBC Radio broadcast several reports which acknowledged that the seven dead Palestinians were all “militants”.
October 11, 2018: On July 24, Honest Reporting Canadaissued a media action alert which noted that although #Israel won widespread praise for its leading role and brave humanitarian efforts in the daring rescue of hundreds of individuals associated with #Syria’s #WhiteHelmets, our public broadcaster, the CBC News: The National, produced truly appalling coverage that unfairly maligned #Israel’s efforts.In a recent review initiated by several HRC subscribers, CBC’s Ombudsman has found that CBC National’s reporting was imprecise, lacked context, and required additional analysis.
September 20, 2018: After filing complaints with CTV News and the National Post, both media outlets have published new articles which acknowledge that claims that Israeli troops shot and killed a 12-year-old Palestinian boy are in dispute and have not been verified.
July 28, 2018: In response to an Honest Reporting Canada complaint, CBC News tacitly acknowledged that a CBC Radio report should have mentioned Palestinian attacks and provocations that prompted Israeli air strikes.
July 23, 2018: Subsequent to HRC’s complaint, Globe and Mail removed headline which claimed that “Israeli fire kills four Palestinians as troops shot at on Gaza border”
May 16, 2018: Clarifications: This story has been updated from a previous version which stated that Dr. Tarek Loubani was shot by the Israel Defence Forces. In fact, the Canadian government is trying to determine how he was injured and is “engaging with Israeli officials to get to the bottom of these events.”
July 23, 2016: HRC Prompts Toronto Star Clarification re: Unfair and Inaccurate Interview on 2014 Gaza War: Clarification: The above column states that Israeli drone attacks on Gaza in the summer of 2014 followed the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers and were Israel’s response to their murder. In fact, Israel says it ordered its military to launch an aerial operation against Hamas and other militants in response to increasing rocket fire on Israel from the Gaza Strip during June and early July 2014.This followed the kidnappings of the three Israeli teenagers (later found killed) and the subsequent kidnapping and killing of a Palestinian teenager, all of which resulted in increased hostilities in the region with Israel arresting hundreds of Hamas operatives in the West Bank and Hamas launching increased rocket attacks. The article also includes a statement from the book’s author that in Gaza, “fishermen aren’t allowed to go beyond three kilometres into the sea to fish.” In fact, in April 2016, Israel expanded the Palestinian fishing zone off the southern portion of Gaza’s coast to nine nautical miles (16 kilometres). The article also states the columnist’s view that “there is little help for the Gazans, except a bit from the United Nations.” According to a January 2015 report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Financial Tracking Service, donors committed approximately $405 million (U.S.) of humanitarian assistance to Gaza since July 2014. The OCHA states that its report does not capture all humanitarian and developmental funding that may go to Gaza.”
CBC Online: May 12, 2016: Correction: “A previous version of this story said that about two-thirds of the Palestinians killed in the 2014 summer war were civilians. In fact, that figure is in dispute. The story has been updated to reflect that fact.”
OpenCanada: April 12, 2016: An online commentary falsely claimed that Israel “occupies” Gaza, after an HRC intervention the commentary was amended.
June 29, 2015: Vancouver Sun: Thanks to HRC’s intervention, context was added to a Vancouver Sun article detailing how Israel’s blockade of Gaza is legal, is necessary because the Hamas terrorist organization rules the Strip, and how Israel provides and facilitates the transfer of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Globe and Mail: January 19, 2015: After HRC’s intervention, the Globe corrected Saeb Erekat’s incendiary claim that “thousands of Palestinian civilians were being slaughtered in Gaza”.
CBC Online: September 9, 2014: Corrections – “This story was modified on Sept. 9th to distinguish that Baraa Abu Dagga attributes the destruction of his family home to an Israeli bomb. The previous version presented that as fact. As well, the source for casualty numbers used in the story, the United Nations, has been added.”
Globe and Mail: September 3, 2014: Following HRC’s intervention with the Globe and Mail, an online column by Israel-critic Gerald Caplan was amended to counter claims that Israel “occupies” Gaza and that “no Israeli government has ever stopped allowing Palestinian land to be appropriated for Israeli settlements.”
Toronto Star: A July 25 photo caption accompanying a photo of a Palestinian family who fled an explosion at a UN-run school house Thursday stated that the building was hit by an Israeli tank shell. As the Star stated in its report of the explosion, while Palestinian officials said it was an Israeli shelling, Israel’s military said that Hamas rockets could have been responsible and that “we do not target UN facilities.”
July 21, 2014: An earlier version of this story cited Gaza health officials as saying most of the Palestinians killed in the conflict are children. In fact, about 100 of the 530 dead are children.
CBC Online: August 14, 2013: An HRC complaint sent to CBC editors prompts corrections to remedy the CBC’s erroneously reporting that Israel annexed the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and its wrongly claiming that settlements are the “foremost” obstacle to Mideast peace.
June 24, 2013: HRC secured a CBC amendment after our public broadcaster’s website wrongly portrayed Israel in a headline to a news article as attacking Gaza without cause, violating an existing ceasefire, and which failed to mention that Palestinian terrorists initiated violence by firing six rockets at Israel.
June 4, 2013: CBC’s Ombudsman upheld HonestReporting Canada and its members concerns finding that CBC’s airing of accusations claiming Israel used chemical weapons on Palestinian children, did not live up to the CBC’s journalistic standards.
March 13, 2013: After HRC complaint, Globe amends online commentary which implied America operates drones over Gaza.
February 28, 2013: Toronto Star issues clarification after HRC complaint: “Israel’s military forces disengaged from the Gaza Strip in 2005. A Feb. 23 column about the Oscar-nominated documentary The Gatekeepers referred to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip beginning in 1967 without any mention of the 2005 withdrawal.”
September 19, 2011: CBC.ca: Clarifications: An earlier version of this story suggested Israel controls all movement into or out of the Gaza Strip. An exception is the Rafah crossing, where Gaza shares a border with Egypt. That border is under the control of Cairo.”
July 22, 2011: Delta Optimist Correction: “The story, Port pickets aimed at Israeli ship, in the July 20 edition of the Optimist incorrectly stated that Israel is occupying the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005. We apologize for the error.”
June 19, 2011: CBC Radio’s “The Sunday Edition” news program interviewed anti-Israel Haaretz correspondent Amira Hass. In the introduction to the interview, CBC anchor Michael Enright falsely claimed that Israel was “occupying” the Gaza Strip. After HRC complained to senior CBC editors, CBC acknowledged and regretted that they had made an error, while committing to revise the on-line version of the introduction to reflect accurate information.
May 25, 2011: A Globe and Mail article falsely claimed that Canada and most government’s views Gaza as “unlawfully occupied by Israel.” After HRC complained the following correction was issued: “(Editor’s note: Israel ceased its occupation of Gaza in 2005. Incorrect information appeared in Wednesday’s Globe and in an earlier online version of this story. This version has been corrected.)”
April 30, 2011: Toronto Star: After publishing a letter to the editor that falsely claimed that Israel has “illegal Israeli settlements” in “Gaza,” after HRC complained, the Toronto Star edited out this reference from the online letter.
CBC Radio, Jul 20 2010: CBC apologizes for an erroneous radio report which referred to the Mavi Marmara ship as being “full of supplies” when Israeli forces intercepted it off the Gaza Strip.
CTV News, Jun 5 2010: CTV apologizes for erroneously describing Gaza as being under “Israeli occupation” and commits to identifying future statements as disputed opinions: “Our report did indeed state that the protesters were decrying the “Israeli occupation” of Gaza and we appreciate your reminding us that the word “occupation” in this context is highly controversial. While, as you know, some groups do consider Israel to be an occupying power of the Gaza Strip because of its control of airspace and territorial waters, we agree with your point that reporters covering the conflict should also consider the fact that Israel and others disagree with this description for the reasons you have stated. As a general rule, CTV News clearly identifies controversial statements as opinion, so as not to leave the impression that we, as a fair and balanced news organization, share those beliefs. In this case, the line should have read, ‘Hundreds of people stopped traffic….to decry…the anniversary of WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS the Israeli occupation of Gaza…” I will immediately remind all of our editorial staff that we must always clearly identify these kinds of disputed descriptions as opinion.”
CBC Online, Jun 3 2010: “Photo gallery: Gaza-bound flotilla raid in pictures”. The online photo gallery of the Gaza flotilla incident distorted the operation’s true aim by selectively omitting pictures of the Israeli army being viciously attacked by the unruly mob, by excluding photos showing the large amounts of weapons found on the boat and by leaving out images showing how the anti-Israel militants had premeditated the attack on the IDF. Gallery updated: the photo gallery was updated with new pictures showing Israeli soldiers being attacked.
Toronto Star, Jun 19 2010: “New Middle East hinges on Turkey”. Column falsely claimed the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Clarification issued: “A June 19 column about Turkey’s role in the emergence of a new Middle East referred to a Turkish ship taking humanitarian aid to Gazans. According to a report from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, itself did not carry humanitarian aid but was part of the Gaza-bound flotilla that carried humanitarian aid.”
Toronto Star, Jun 2 2010: “A success for non-violence in Gaza?”. Columnist falsely stated that former U.S. Ambassador Edward Peck was aboard the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara ship with other “non-violent activists”: “The ship was 98 per cent peopled by non-violent activists, including women and children, parliamentarians and even a former American ambassador.” Reference removed and correction issued: “Former U.S. Ambassador Edward Peck was aboard one of the smaller ships in the Gaza aid flotilla in which nine people were killed. A June 2 Opinion article about the deadly flotilla raid suggested that the ambassador was onboard the ship where the bloodshed occurred.”
Calgary Herald, May 1 2010: “‘Gaza Doctor’ helps heal with forgiveness”. Report falsely claimed that Israeli tanks had fired on Gaza doctor’s house for “no apparent reason”. Clarification issued: “An article that appeared in the Calgary Herald on May 1, 2010, about Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish’s book I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey made reference to the death of his three daughters and niece after his house was hit by shells from an Israeli tank. The Israeli military has said its forces came under mortar and sniper fire from Hamas gunmen located in a building adjacent to the one occupied by the family and that it was responding to this fire.”
Toronto Star, Mar 6 2010: “More voices on Israeli Apartheid Week”. Letter-writer Karin Brothers posted a comment on the Toronto Star’s website claiming that Israelis are committing a “genocidal siege of Gazans“. Comment removed: The Star’s Public Editor agreed that the comment went too far and should not have been posted.
The Varsity, Feb 8 2010: “Are all disasters created equal?“. Report incorrectly stated that Israel had killed 14,000 Palestinian civilians and injured 400,000 in the 2008-2009 Gaza war. Correction issued: “this article originally read that the “Israel Defense Force launched a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip, killing over 14,000 Palestinian civilians and injuring over 400,000 more.” The true numbers are roughly 1,300 killed and 5,500 injured, and the article has been updated to reflect this. The Varsity regrets the error.”
CBC.ca, Feb 4 2010: “Rights and Democracy torn by dissent”. Original report incorrectly described Israel’s 2009 military operation in Gaza as an Israeli offensive “against” Gaza: “The new members challenged grants being made to three human rights organizations known to be critical of Israel’s human rights record, especially in the Israeli offensive against Gaza.” Report revised: “The new members challenged grants being made to three human rights organizations known to be critical of Israel’s human rights record, especially in the Israeli offensive in Gaza.”
CBC.ca, Jan 30 2010: “Fredericton rally marks Gaza conflict”. Original report failed to acknowledge or contextualize Israel’s reason for carrying out its 2009 defensive operation in Gaza: “A rally was held in downtown Fredericton Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the end of an Israeli offensive in Gaza which killed about 1,400 people.” Report amended: “Israel carried out the incursion into the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip from Dec. 27, 2008, to Jan. 18, 2009, saying it was trying to halt years of Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli towns.”
Macleans, Jan 29 2010: “Changing a society, one step at a time”. Original report falsely described the 2009 conflict between Israel and Hamas as the “Israel-Gaza conflict”. Following report amended: “After the January 2009 conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Beauregard had authorized a so-called “Urgent Action” project from discretionary funds to document any human rights violations in Gaza.”
Toronto Sun, Sept 23 2009: “A cutline on a photo in Monday’s Toronto Sun was incomplete. The photo showing a Palestinian mourning the death of his brother at a funeral in the Gaza strip failed to note the dead man was shot by Israeli troops while trying to plant a bomb along the Gaza border fence.” Clarification issued.
CBC Around the World, June 23 2009: “Report states ‘Israeli offensive [in Gaza] killed thousands.'” On-air correction issued stating ‘While the actual number of dead isn’t known, the consensus is that there were about 1,300 people killed.'” Correction issued.
Toronto Star, June 18 2009: “A June 14 article about artist Reena Katz made reference to Katz describing herself as a conscientious objector to Israel’s military presence in Gaza. In fact, Israel’s military forces disengaged from the Gaza strip in 2005.” Correction issued.
Winnipeg Free Press, June 5 2009: “Report stated President Obama ‘warned Israel to stop the expansion of existing settlements in…Gaza.’ Free Press editor apologized, stating there is no expansion of Israeli settlements in Gaza.”
CBC Newsworld, June 14 2009: “Report about the Hamas Anniversary in Gaza and the power struggles between Fatah and Hamas is accompanied by a video of Israeli military in Gaza, with no relation between the footage and the story. On-air apology and correction issued, stating “Israeli forces were not involved in the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007.”
CBC Newsworld, June 12, 2009: “Al-Jazeera English Reporter inserts his own opinion into a news report by stating that ‘they [Red Cross] officials have obviously been targeted’ by Israelis. CBC ombudsman report concluded this item did not meet the standards of accuracy and fairness within the CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices.”
CBCNews.ca, Apr 9 2009: “An earlier version of this story said a human rights probe headed by Richard Goldstone would investigate alleged Israeli war crimes during a three-week conflict with Hamas that ended Jan. 18, 2009. In fact, Goldstone said his team would investigate ‘all violations of international humanitarian law’ before, during and after the conflict, including allegations against Israelis in the Gaza Strip and allegations against Palestinians in southern Israel.”
CBC Online, March 24 2009: “Story published about Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon’s visit to one of the Mideast initially said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair had visited the town of Beit Hanoun and that a UN school had come under Israeli fire there. Correction stated Blair did not visit Beit Hanoun, he visited Beit Lahiya. The school in Beit Lahiya did not come under fire, but the American International School in Beit Lahiya did and the Israeli military said the campus was a legitimate target since it was used to fire rockets.”
CBC Online, Feb 19 2009: “A story published Feb 18 about the border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip originally said 3000 Palestinians killed in a conflict between Israel and Hamas in late 2008 and early 2009. In fact, about 1,300 Palestinians died in the conflict.” Correction issued.
CBC Online, Feb 2 2009: “Two rockets launched from Gaza into the south region of Israel. There were no reports of casualties or damage.” Correction stated “it later emerged that two Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian had been hurt.”
CBC Online, Jan 22 2009: “Israel ended its campaign Sunday but hasn’t reopened border crossings with Gaza.” Correction issued “while Israel hasn’t fully reopened the crossings, it has allowed humanitarian aid supplies into Gaza. More than 2,000 supply trucks have entered Gaza through these crossings since the start of the 22day conflict between Israel and Hamas.”
CBC National, Jan 13 2009: “Report showed President Obama expressed concern for the loss of civilian life in Gaza. On-air correction issued, stating Obama also expressed concern for the loss of civilian life in Israel as well.
Montreal Gazette, Jan 13 2009: Report about pro-Palestinians demonstrations in Montreal described the Gaza strip as an “occupied territory.” Correction issued, confirming Israel withdrew its forces from Gaza in 2005.
Globe and Mail, Jan 13 2009: “Protests against Israel’s military offensive in Gaza have taken place in various cities in Israel in the past two weeks. Incorrect information appeared yesterday.” Correction issued.
Montreal Gazette, Jan 11 2009: “Jews, Christians, Muslims, Anglos, Francos, grandmothers and children walked together yesterday in the bitter cold to call for an immediate ceasefire in the occupied territory.” Correction stated “Israel withdrew its forces and settlers from Gaza in 2005.”
Toronto Star, Jan 9 2009: “UN officials said the driver and aid worker killed in Gaza yesterday were operating a clearly marked vehicle that was flying the UN flag.” Correction stated “One UN relief agency driver was killed and a second driver was injured in separate incidents in Gaza on Jan 8.”
Toronto Star, Jan 6 2009: “Reporter states Hamas has ruled Gaza since June 2006.” Correction issued.
CBC Online, Jan 6 2009: “Israel launched a series of air attacks against targets in the Gaza strip.” Correction issued: “After the six-month ceasefire expired on Dec 19, Palestinian Hamas stepped up rocket attacks against southern Israel.”
CTV.ca, Dec 29 2008: “Israel says the recent campaign, which may be accompanied by a ground offensive into the West Bank, is in response to the steady stream of rockets Hamas has fired into southern Israel.” Correction issued, “Israel says the recent campaign is in response to the steady stream of rockets Hamas has fired into southern Israel.”
CBC Online, Aug 5 2008: “The original story incorrectly stated that Israel is occupying both the West Bank and Gaza. In fact, Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005, although it still carries out military operations there.” Correction issued.
La Presse, July 31 2008: “Article stated ‘Palestinian and Jewish Unity (PAJU) denounce the Israeli occupation in Gaza.’ Clarification issued, stated the Israeli army withdrew from Gaza in August 2005.” Correction issued.
National Post, June 17 2008: “Due to an editing error, the words ‘was destroyed by Israeli forces in Gaza city, killing 11 civilians’ were incorrectly inserted in a letter to the editor by Stephen Tannenbaum in Thursday’s National Post. In fact, on Tuesday, either nine or 11 people, of whom two or three were Islamic Jihad terrorists, were killed after the Israeli Air Force attacked a van in Gaza under the control of an Islamic Jihad cell and containing Katyusha rockers for use against Israel. The Post regrets the error.” Correction issued.
Radio Canada Online, June 15 2008: “Online report stated “Nearly 20 000 Jews live in settlements in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” Radio Canada removed this statement from the report.
Kingston Whig Standard, April 23 2008: “A sentence in an Associated Press article about the Gaza Strip that appeared in Friday’s Whig-Standard should have read: Israel, which controls Gaza’s border crossings, has greatly restricted the flow of goods into the area since Hamas seized control there last June. Incorrect information was supplied to the Whig.” Correction issued.
Le Journal de Montreal, April 29 2008: “The death of a Palestinian boy in the Gaza Strip earlier this month, originally blamed on Israeli forces, was caused by mortar fire from Palestinian militants, a human rights group said Monday. On April 6, AFP cited medical sources as saying the child was killed by Israeli tank fire between the Gaza border with Israel and the Bureij refugee camp. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights subsequently conducted an investigation into the killing. “According to our inquiry, the child Abdullah Mohammed Bahar, four years old, was killed by a Palestinian mortar,” said Jaber Wichah, deputy director of the PCHR, based in Gaza. According to the PCHR, Palestinian militants fired a mortar round which struck near the child’s home, seriously wounding the boy in the head, as he was playing outdoors with his brother who was also injured but survived. The four-year-old died shortly after being taken to hospital, the PCHR said.” Correction issued.
Globe and Mail, April 18 2008: “Twenty-two people were killed in conflict in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, 15 of them as a result of Israeli air strikes that followed a gun battle between Hamas militants and Israeli soldiers. An incorrect number appeared in a headline in yesterday’s newspaper.” Correction issued.
City TV, Mar 17 2008: According to a City T Producer: “Our editorial writer made an honest mistake in referring to an “Israeli annexation of Gaza” from Egypt in 67. I have conducted a formal review and have instructed our staff to be more vigilant and more careful to ensure that simple editing errors do not occur.”
Ottawa Metro News, Mar 6 2008: Apology: “I will be sending you a synopsis of what I learned early next week. Suffice to say for now, it does appear to be an honest error by an inexperienced page designer and editors in Toronto have instituted a new safeguard in the production stream to avoid a repeat. We are currently reviewing with our production team in Toronto what occurred in this instance. Although Metro’s smaller format requires shorter, tighter stories than most other publications, we obviously do not condone offering one side of an argument to the exclusion of the other. If the omission was not at source through the wire provider Reuters, then we will be taking steps within the production chain to ensure future reporting on this subject includes perspectives from both sides. I will be in touch once we’ve held our review with the production team. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.” According to a Metro News editor after two Reuters reports printed in the Metro failed to mention the reason why the Israeli Defense Forces entered the Gaza Strip. The Incursion was done to prevent and thwart continuous rocket attacks on Israeli cities by Hamas terrorists.
Globe and Mail, Feb 19 2008: “A rocket attack from Gaza on Feb 9 wounded, but did not kill, two Israelis. Incorrect information appeared in Thursday’s newspaper.” Correction issued.
Toronto Star, Jan 27 2008: Follow up story issued to clarify that “Yesterday’s events came against the backdrop of a war of words between Hamas and Israel. Earlier in the week, Hamas claimed five patients died over the weekend in Gaza hospitals because of the latest fuel embargo, a statement that Israeli and other Palestinian officials subsequently said was unfounded. The five people died in their homes, for one reason or another, and were dead on arrival at the main hospital in Gaza City, but there was no evidence that the power shutdown played any role in their deaths.”
CBC News Today, Jan 17 2008: Apology – According to a senior editor at CBC: “On December 17, you wrote to draw our attention to an “error” in a report by CBC News correspondent David Common on the December 17 edition of CBC NEWS: TODAY. You wrote that in a report on a donor conference in Paris intended to aid the Palestinian economy, Mr. Common said the Palestinians are insisting that the Israelis return to the table to “discuss what would happen with Israeli settlers in Gaza and the West Bank.” You pointed out that Israeli settlers left the Gaza Strip in 2005. Of course, you are right. It was an inadvertent error in a live report first seen a little after 6am that morning. In fact, Mr. Common telephoned Toronto minutes after the broadcast to say he had made a mistake and ask if he should do the report again, but his producers said they would edit the report to remove the error. Despite that, the original report was inadvertently broadcast once again later that morning. We regret the error.”
CBC Online, Nov 16 2007: “A CBC report on an Israeli air strike that killed 5 Palestinians failed to mention that the IDF was targeting Palestinian rocket squads. Report also falsely claimed that Israel closed Gaza’s borders. HRC contacted CBC Online’s executive producer who added 5 paragraphs to the online article mentioning the above along with the fact that 1,200 rockets have hit Israel since June.”
CBC Around the World, Oct 26 2007: CBC Around the World On-Air Correction: “Just before we go a correction from yesterday’s program, we said journalist Alan Johnston had been in prison, had been held in about 114 months, it was 114 days.”
CBC Online, Oct 30 2007: “A story published on Oct. 26 about Israel’s plan to disrupt power supplies to the Gaza Strip said the territory’s land and sea borders are still controlled by Israel. In fact, Gaza also shares a border with Egypt. Following the Hamas takeover in Gaza, Israel and Egypt closed the borders.” Correction issued.
Toronto Sun, Sept 4 2007: Apology – “Thank you for your email regarding the news brief we ran headed “Gaza blast kills 3 Palestinian children.” I haven’t seen the original wire story but I expect the details of context concerning the use of children by terrorist organizations were not in that first story. If they were, I agree we should have given more space to the story. I expect that the context emerged only after subsequent investigation, However, your letter does underline the danger of short stories. I thank you for reminding us of that fact.” According to a senior editor at the Toronto Sun after a short wire brief failed to mention that Palestinian terror organizations are making cynical use of children, by sending them to areas where rocket launchers are located to collect weapons, consciously endangering them in places where the Israeli Defense Force targets the rocket salvos and sites.
Globe and Mail, June 28 2006: “Palestinians blame Israel for the deaths of 22 people in Gaza in recent air strikes, but Israel denies responsibility for the right among those 22 who died in explosions on a Gaza beach. Incomplete information appeared Monday.” Correction issued.
Globe and Mail, June 13 2006: “Report contained incorrect casualty figures of an explosion that occurred in the Gaza Strip killing only 7 Palestinians.” Correction issued.
Globe and Mail, March 16 2005: “Canadian hostage released in the Gaza Strip was incorrectly identified.” Correction issued.
Globe and Mail, March 15 2005: “Israeli settlements and built-up land should not have been noted on a map of Gaza published yesterday, which used outdated information. The Israeli military and settlers withdrew from Gaza in 2005.” Correction issued.
Mike is the Executive Director of HonestReporting Canada and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization, its financial management and project development. A seventeen-year veteran of the Canadian journalism industry, Mike was a former editor-in-chief, reporter, and anchor of various news programs and publications. Mike's focus is on delivering efficiency and professionalism as HRC moves into new technological and geographical spheres. Mike is a human rights expert and a frequent on-air commentator. His work has been published in the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Toronto Star, CBC News and more.
