The New York Times accused of pro-Israel bias in coverage of Gaza war • FRANCE 24 English

Summary

This week's 'Scoop' delves into the challenges of war reporting and journalistic ethics, with a particular focus on media coverage of the Gaza conflict. It examines the reluctance of Western outlets, like The New York Times, to acknowledge terms like 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing' in relation to Israel's actions in Gaza. The episode also highlights the internal conflicts within newsrooms, where ethnic biases influence reporters’ coverage. Through interviews and analysis, the discussion explores the difficulties of balancing objectivity with political pressures, and the struggle of Palestinian-American journalists to have their voices heard in mainstream media.

Takeaways

• 😀 Journalistic integrity is under pressure in conflict zones, as reporters face challenges verifying information and maintaining accuracy.
• 😀 An open letter in November condemned Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza and criticized Western media's coverage of the war.
• 😀 Oxfam described the war in Gaza as the deadliest of the 21st century, highlighting the high civilian death toll alongside Hamas militants.
• 😀 A study by The Intercept found that U.S. media coverage of Palestinians declined, even as the death toll in Gaza surged.
• 😀 A leaked memo from The New York Times instructed journalists not to use terms like 'genocide' or 'ethnic cleansing' in relation to Gaza, reflecting editorial bias.
• 😀 The memo also advised avoiding the term 'refugee camps' to describe areas in Gaza, suggesting they be called 'crowded neighborhoods' instead.
• 😀 The New York Times memo instructed journalists not to use the term 'Palestine' unless discussing Palestinian statehood at the United Nations.
• 😀 Despite defending its editorial stance, The New York Times faced criticism for deferring to Israel's narrative in its coverage of the Gaza conflict.
• 😀 The New York Times leadership was accused of targeting Middle Eastern or North African journalists during investigations into leaks about its coverage.
• 😀 In U.S. newsrooms, journalists faced disciplinary actions or reassignment for their stances on Gaza, particularly those of Middle Eastern descent.
• 😀 Journalists' ethnicity and biases were seen as factors in their ability to report on Gaza, with Palestinian and Middle Eastern reporters often being told they were too biased to cover the issue objectively.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the weekly conversation discussed in the video?

The conversation focuses on the challenges faced by journalists covering international conflicts, particularly the political and economic pressures shaping media narratives. It also examines journalistic ethics, trust in the press, and the influence of media coverage on shaping public perception.

What was the significance of the open letter signed by over 750 journalists?

The open letter condemned the killing of reporters in Gaza and criticized the Western media's coverage of the war. It highlighted the failure to adequately report on the existential threat facing Palestinians, accusing media outlets of hesitancy in recognizing the scale of the violence and genocide.

How did Oxfam characterize the Gaza war in November, and why was it significant?

Oxfam referred to the Gaza war as the deadliest of the 21st century after reviewing the daily death toll. The statement was significant because it emphasized the high civilian casualties, including journalists and activists, and brought attention to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

What did *The Intercept* report about U.S. media bias against Palestinians?

The Intercept conducted an analysis of over 1,000 articles from major U.S. outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. It found a decline in mentions of Palestinians as the death toll rose, highlighting a clear bias against adequately covering Palestinian suffering and the conflict's impact.

What controversial guidance did *The New York Times* issue in its leaked memo?

The memo instructed journalists to avoid using terms like 'genocide' and 'ethnic cleansing' when covering Gaza, unless strictly discussing legal definitions. It also advised against using the term 'refugee camps' for certain areas in Gaza and restricted the use of the term 'Palestine' unless referring to specific international discussions, reflecting a deference to Israel's narrative.

How does *The New York Times*' editorial policy reflect broader institutional biases?

The editorial policy at *The New York Times* demonstrates a longstanding deference to the narratives of powerful nation-states, such as the U.S. and Israel. This has often translated into biased reporting that minimizes or obscures the violence against Palestinians and downplays their historical and present struggles.

What role do editors and bureau chiefs play in shaping media coverage at *The New York Times*?

Editors and bureau chiefs contribute input to the standards editor, who is responsible for creating specific editorial guidelines and ensuring consistency across reports. While this process is collaborative, it is also shaped by the leadership's priorities, which can influence the overall narrative presented in the coverage.

How did *The New York Times* respond to the leaked memo and the controversy surrounding it?

In response to the leaked memo, *The New York Times* defended its editorial guidelines as an effort to ensure accuracy in reporting. However, it also disputed allegations that the memo reflected racial profiling or bias, particularly in relation to Middle Eastern or North African employees who were allegedly targeted in the internal leak investigation.

What issue does the racial component of the leak investigation at *The New York Times* highlight?

The racial component of the leak investigation at *The New York Times* highlights potential biases in how journalists of Middle Eastern and North African descent were treated. The union representing employees alleged that these journalists were unfairly targeted, revealing systemic issues related to race and ethnicity in newsroom practices.

What does the use of passive voice in media coverage of Palestinian suffering imply?

The use of passive voice in media coverage, especially in headlines, obscures the identity of the perpetrators of violence against Palestinians. This practice, often seen in *The New York Times*, avoids directly naming Israel as the aggressor, further distorting the portrayal of the conflict and the agency of those causing harm.