HonestReporting
{{short description|Pro-Israel media monitoring organization}}
{{pp-30-500|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox organization
| formation = {{start date and age|2000|10}}
| founder = Shaul Rosenblatt
| leader_title = Chief Executive Officer
| leader_name = Jacki Alexander
}}
HonestReporting or Honest Reporting is an Israeli media advocacy group. A pro-Israel media watchdog,{{cite news |last1=Sokol |first1=Sam |title=News Agencies Dispute Israeli Allegations of Complicity in Hamas Massacre |url=https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/2023-11-09/ty-article/news-agencies-dispute-israeli-allegations-of-complicity-in-hamas-massacre/0000018b-b406-dea2-a9bf-f49e606b0000 |access-date=5 May 2024 |agency=Haaretz |date=Nov 9, 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109172409/http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/2023-11-09/ty-article/news-agencies-dispute-israeli-allegations-of-complicity-in-hamas-massacre/0000018b-b406-dea2-a9bf-f49e606b0000 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |year=2024 |title=Gil Hoffman |url=https://www.jpost.com/author/gil-hoffman |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} it describes its mission as "combat[ting] ideological prejudice in journalism and the media, as it impacts Israel".{{cite news |last1=Balmer |first1=Crispian |title=HonestReporting accepts news groups had no prior warning of Oct. 7 Hamas attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-advocacy-group-accepts-news-outlets-had-no-prior-warning-hamas-attack-2023-11-10/ |access-date=3 May 2024 |work=Reuters |date=11 November 2023 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113084337/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-advocacy-group-accepts-news-outlets-had-no-prior-warning-hamas-attack-2023-11-10/ |url-status=live }}
History
HonestReporting describes itself "a charitable organisation" with a mission "to combat ideological prejudice in journalism and the media, as it impacts Israel". It was founded in October 2000 by Shaul Rosenblatt, founder and head of Aish Hatorah-United Kingdom in response to controversy over the Tuvia Grossman photograph at the outbreak of the Second Intifada. The episode is often cited by those who accuse the media of having an anti-Israel bias, and was the impetus for the founding of HonestReporting.{{Cite news|date=2000-10-06|title=Carnage for the Cameras|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB970792194386173971|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930220542/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB970792194386173971|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|last=Koltermann|first=Felix|title=Fotoreporter im Konflikt: Der internationale Fotojournalismus in Israel/Palästina|publisher=transcript Verlag|year=2017|location=Bielefeld|pages=25 n.3}}
Within six weeks, HonestReporting had an email list of 10,000 volunteers to monitor the media and respond accordingly. Irwin Katsof offered to lead fundraising efforts to hire professional staff.{{cite book |last1=Rosenblum |first1=Yonoson |title=Rav Noach Weinberg: Torah Revolutionary |date=2020-03-02 |publisher=Mosaica Press |isbn=978-1946351876 |pages=495–497 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x1hcEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22honestreporting%22&pg=PA495 |access-date=30 November 2023 |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006051736/https://books.google.com/books?id=x1hcEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22honestreporting%22&pg=PA495#v=onepage&q=%22honestreporting%22&f=false |url-status=live }} By 2003 the list had 150,000 subscribers and began raising funds for it to become an independent organization.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
As of 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of HonestReporting was Jacki Alexander.{{Cite news |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2022/10/19/journalism-award-stripped-from-palestinian-journalist-over-antisemitic-facebook-posts/ |title=Journalism Award Stripped from Palestinian Journalist Over Antisemitic Facebook Posts |first=Dion J. |last=Pierre |date=October 19, 2022 |newspaper=The Algemeiner |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110211/https://www.algemeiner.com/2022/10/19/journalism-award-stripped-from-palestinian-journalist-over-antisemitic-facebook-posts/ |url-status=live }} She previously worked at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Florida and has a master's degree in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and BA in History and Religious Studies.{{cn|date=May 2024}} Gil Hoffman was appointed as the Executive Director of HonestReporting in 2022. He previously served as the chief political correspondent and analyst for the Jerusalem Post.{{Cite web |url=https://religionnews.com/2022/05/25/honestreporting-announces-appointment-of-gil-hoffman-as-new-executive-director/ |title=HonestReporting announces appointment of Gil Hoffman as new executive director |date=2022-05-25 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110159/https://religionnews.com/2022/05/25/honestreporting-announces-appointment-of-gil-hoffman-as-new-executive-director/ |url-status=live }}
In March 2006, a dedicated website by HonestReporting for covering the Media in the UK was launched by two expatriate Britons, CEO Joe Hyams, and Managing Editor Simon Plosker;{{Cite web |url=http://archive.totallyjewish.com/news/honestreporting-launches-uk-site/ |title=HonestReporting Launches UK Site |website=TJ News Archive |language=en-US |access-date=2016-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824080355/http://archive.totallyjewish.com/news/honestreporting-launches-uk-site/ |archive-date=2014-08-24 |url-status=dead}} in 2011, the HR UK website was merged into the main site.{{Cite web |url=http://honestreporting.com/hr-elevating-action-against-the-uk-media/ |title=HR: Elevating Action Against the UK Media |website=HonestReporting |date=3 August 2011 |language=en-US |access-date=2016-05-17 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610052957/http://honestreporting.com/hr-elevating-action-against-the-uk-media/ |url-status=live }}
=HonestReporting Canada=
HonestReporting Canada (HRC) was founded as an independent group in 2003 to monitor Middle East news coverage in Canada. Journalist Jonathan Kay credited HRC with reducing perceived anti-Israel bias in the English-language media in Canada by 2011.{{Cite web |url=http://www.cjnews.com/TOPScnCJN/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13275&Itemid=101 |title=Films at Concordia cause controversy |first=Ezra |last=Glinter |date=11 October 2007 |newspaper=Canadian Jewish News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013204715/http://www.cjnews.com/TOPScnCJN/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13275&Itemid=101 |archive-date=October 13, 2007}}{{cite news |last1=Kay |first1=Jonathan |title=Jonathan Kay on Stéphane Gendron, Quebec's Israel-hater en chef |url=https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jonathan-kay-on-stephane-gendron-quebecs-israel-hater-en-chef |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=National Post |date=2011-11-04 |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006051736/https://nationalpost.com/opinion/jonathan-kay-on-stephane-gendron-quebecs-israel-hater-en-chef |url-status=live }} In 2012, a campaign by HRC led to a Canadian Broadcast Standards Council investigation after local politician Stéphane Gendron made controversial comments on the French-language V Television Network.{{cite news |title=Quebec mayor under fire for anti-Israel remarks |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-mayor-under-fire-for-anti-israel-remarks-1.1210525 |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=CBC |date=2012-01-06 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204040511/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-mayor-under-fire-for-anti-israel-remarks-1.1210525 |url-status=live }}
In November 2024, Honest Reporting Canada's assistant director, Robert Walker, was criminally charged with 17 counts of mischief for allegedly vandalizing several properties in a Toronto neighborhood by spraypainting anti-Palestinian graffiti.{{cite news |title=Robert Walker of Honest Reporting charged with mischief |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/assistant-director-of-honest-reporting-facing-charges-in-connection-with-riverdale-graffiti/article_465e84d2-d4f2-11ef-9abb-076ea5266a8e.htmld2-d4f2-11ef-9abb-076ea5266a8e.html |access-date=January 29, 2025 |work=Toronto Star |date=January 24, 2025}} Walker had previously warned of the dangers of antisemitic graffiti, saying that “[a] small, only minimally irritating act of vandalism, if tolerated or overlooked, can quickly become a stepping stone to more antisemitic acts, and more dangerous ones, too". According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Honest Reporting Canada has not commented on the arrest and continues to employ Walker.{{cite news |last1=Lapin |first1=Andrew |title=Senior employee of Canadian pro-Israel media watchdog charged for anti-Palestinian graffiti |url=https://www.jta.org/2025/01/28/global/senior-employee-of-canadian-pro-israel-media-watchdog-charged-for-anti-palestinian-graffiti |access-date=January 31, 2025 |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |date=January 28, 2025}} The charges were withdrawn on March 5, 2025, in recognition of a $1000 charitable donation by Walker to the Sick Kids Foundation that "meets the ends of justice in all the factors that the Crown is required to consider" according to the prosecution.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Betsy |title=Crown withdraws charges against Honest Reporting staffer over anti-Palestinian graffiti |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/crime/crown-withdraws-charges-against-honest-reporting-staffer-over-anti-palestinian-graffiti/article_31e9f58c-f909-11ef-8b13-f712e169b30e.html |publisher=Toronto Star |access-date=March 28, 2025 |date=March 5, 2025}}
Activities
HonestReporting reviews news articles and op-eds regarding Israel to check for and respond to any bias or fake news.{{Cite web |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/1670785837-al-jazeera-witness-is-pij-terrorist-claims-pro-israel-watchdog |title='Al Jazeera witness is PIJ terrorist' claims pro-Israel watchdog |website=i24NEWS |access-date=2023-01-10 |quote=HonestReporting executive director Gil Hoffman stated: "The credibility of the investigations of Al Jazeera in probing Abu Akleh's death are questionable now that HonestReporting exposed their chief witness as an active member of a murderous terrorist organization. |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110219/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/1670785837-al-jazeera-witness-is-pij-terrorist-claims-pro-israel-watchdog |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.haaretz.com/2014-08-25/ty-article/time-retracts-idf-organ-harvesting-claim/0000017f-e773-df5f-a17f-ffffa0fe0000 |title=Time Retracts Claim That Israeli Troops Harvested Palestinian Organs |date=August 25, 2014 |language=en |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110159/https://www.haaretz.com/2014-08-25/ty-article/time-retracts-idf-organ-harvesting-claim/0000017f-e773-df5f-a17f-ffffa0fe0000 |url-status=live }} HonestReporting is not a news organization, and therefore does not seek to follow journalistic ethics and standards.{{Cite news |last=Balmer |first=Crispian |title=HonestReporting accepts news groups had no prior warning of Oct. 7 Hamas attack |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-advocacy-group-accepts-news-outlets-had-no-prior-warning-hamas-attack-2023-11-10/ |work=Reuters |access-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113084337/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-advocacy-group-accepts-news-outlets-had-no-prior-warning-hamas-attack-2023-11-10/ |url-status=live }}
HonestReporting's actions have resulted in a number of corrections in the media including:
- Idris Muktar Ibrahim, a producer at CNN, was found to have written on Twitter praise for Hamas and in a separate tweet posted "#TeamHitler."{{Cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/cnn-cans-producer-idris-mukhtar-ibrahim-after-he-posts-about-praising-hamas-terrorism-and-writing-supernumberteamhitler-on-twitter/ar-AA14jEvg |title=CNN Cans Producer Idris Mukhtar Ibrahim After He Posts About Praising Hamas Terrorism & Writing '#TeamHitler' On Twitter |date=November 19, 2022 |website=MSN |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110159/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/cnn-cans-producer-idris-mukhtar-ibrahim-after-he-posts-about-praising-hamas-terrorism-and-writing-supernumberteamhitler-on-twitter/ar-AA14jEvg |url-status=live }} After HonestReporting contacted CNN about the producer's ability to report impartially, CNN ended their working relationship with him.{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2022/11/18/cnn-drops-producer-idris-mukhtar-ibrahim-over-hamas-praise-teamhitler-post/ |title=CNN drops producer Idris Mukhtar Ibrahim over Hamas praise, '#TeamHitler' post |last1=Halon |first1=Yael |last2=Grossman |first2=Hannah |date=2022-11-18 |newspaper=New York Post |access-date=2023-01-10 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110201/https://nypost.com/2022/11/18/cnn-drops-producer-idris-mukhtar-ibrahim-over-hamas-praise-teamhitler-post/ |url-status=live }} He later apologized.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/488293-idris-muktar-kenyan-journalist-tweets-posted-10-years-cost-cnn-job/ |title=Idris Muktar: Kenyan Journalist Says Tweets He Posted 10 Years Ago Cost Him CNN Job |last=Shiundu |first=Linda |date=2022-12-24 |language=en-US |website=Tuko |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110220/https://www.tuko.co.ke/people/488293-idris-muktar-kenyan-journalist-tweets-posted-10-years-cost-cnn-job/ |url-status=live }}
- In 2012, HonestReporting filed a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) in the UK after The Guardian ran a correction apologizing for having called Jerusalem Israel's capital, contrary to the paper's style guide. HonestReporting acted to initiate a judicial review after the PCC initially ruled that The Guardian had not breached the PCC code, saying that the ruling had "potential to further delegitimize Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital." The PCC retracted its original ruling and asked the paper to defend its position. The Guardian, then modified its style guide so that it no longer categorically states that Tel Aviv is the capital of Israel rather than Jerusalem.{{cite news |last1=Ahern |first1=Raphael |title=Guardian: We were wrong to call Tel Aviv Israel's capital |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/guardian-admits-we-were-wrong-in-calling-tel-aviv-israels-capital/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |work=Times of Israel |date=2012-08-08 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229022216/https://www.timesofisrael.com/guardian-admits-we-were-wrong-in-calling-tel-aviv-israels-capital/ |url-status=live }}
- Award-winning journalist Shatha Hammad was discovered to have posted on Facebook that she referred to Adolf Hitler as her "friend"{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/reuters-rescinds-award-palestinian-journalist-surfaced-social-media-posts-praising-hitler |title=Reuters rescinds award from Palestinian journalist following surfaced social media posts praising Hitler |last=Halon |first=Yael |date=2022-10-19 |website=Fox News |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110182151/https://www.foxnews.com/media/reuters-rescinds-award-palestinian-journalist-surfaced-social-media-posts-praising-hitler |url-status=live }} and that they "share the same ideology, such as the extermination of the Jews"{{Cite web |url=https://arab.news/z6jva |title=Palestinian journalist stripped of award over antisemitic comments |date=2022-10-21 |website=Arab News |language=en |access-date=2023-01-10}} Hammad made other posts using the nickname "Hitler" and denying Israel's right to exist.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkeyikpqi |title=Palestinian journalist stripped of award for pro-Hitler remarks |author=i24NEWS |date=2022-10-19 |website=Ynetnews |language=en |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110222/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rkeyikpqi |url-status=live }} She also termed terrorists who murdered Israeli worshippers in the 2014 Jerusalem synagogue attack as "martyrs." After HonestReporting's exposure of her posts, the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the Kurt Schork Memorial Fund withdrew the awards they had granted her.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/news/reuters-strips-award-from-palestinian-journalist-after-she-said-im-friends-with-hitler-1opHcMaVpSbQZrxjzc0BJT |title=Reuters strips award from Palestinian journalist after she said 'I'm friends with Hitler' |first=Daniel |last=Ben-David |date=October 19, 2022 |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=2023-01-10 |quote=On Sunday, media watchdog HonestReporting uncovered posts made by Shatha Hammad, a freelance journalist who has written for Middle East Eye and Al Jazeera, in which she signed off her Facebook comments using the nickname "Hitler". |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110200/https://www.thejc.com/news/news/reuters-strips-award-from-palestinian-journalist-after-she-said-im-friends-with-hitler-1opHcMaVpSbQZrxjzc0BJT |url-status=live }}
- News producer Fady Hanona was discovered to have posted Anti-semitic social media posts by HonestReporting,{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-times-cuts-ties-with-gaza-freelancer-who-called-to-kill-jews-like-hitler-did/ |title=NY Times cuts ties with Gaza freelancer who called to kill Jews 'like Hitler did' |newspaper=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110206/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-times-cuts-ties-with-gaza-freelancer-who-called-to-kill-jews-like-hitler-did/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/ny-times-stops-working-with-freelancer-who-called-for-killing-jews-like-hitler-did/ |title=NY Times cuts ties with freelancer who called for killing Jews 'like Hitler did' |first=Ben |last=Kesslen |date=2022-08-15 |newspaper=New York Post |language=en-US |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110203/https://nypost.com/2022/08/15/ny-times-stops-working-with-freelancer-who-called-for-killing-jews-like-hitler-did/ |url-status=live }} leading news outlets he previously worked for such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and others to cut ties with him.{{Cite web |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/the-guardian-and-the-abc-join-global-media-outlets-in-cutting-ties-with-antisemitic-freelance-journalist-fady-hanona/news-story/797cbee742e2474eb13124b175a43511 |title=The Guardian and the ABC join global media outlets in cutting ties with anti-Semitic freelance journalist Fady Hanona |first=Tyrone |last=Clarke |date=2022-08-22 |website=Sky News |language=en |access-date=2023-01-10 |archive-date=January 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110110159/https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/the-guardian-and-the-abc-join-global-media-outlets-in-cutting-ties-with-antisemitic-freelance-journalist-fady-hanona/news-story/797cbee742e2474eb13124b175a43511 |url-status=live }}
Criticism
The American Journalism Review described the organisation as a "pro-Israeli pressure group".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=3683 |title=Caught in the Crossfire |last=Matusow |first=Barbara |date=June–July 2004 |magazine=American Journalism Review |access-date=March 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613032218/http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=3683 |archive-date=June 13, 2010}}
After being criticized by HonestReporting for articles published by The Independent, author Robert Fisk wrote in the Independent that some of their readers sent him hate-mail.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/robert--fisk-the-internet-threat-to-truly-honest-reporting-686255.html |title=The internet threat to truly honest reporting |last=Fisk |first=Robert |date=28 May 2001 |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=2011-03-03}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Following a 2004 article published in the British Medical Journal which criticised Israel for a high level of Palestinian civilian casualties and claimed that the pattern of injuries suggested routine targeting of children in situations of minimal or no threat, the journal received over 500 responses to its website and nearly 1,000 sent directly to its editor. In an analysis of the responses published in the journal, Karl Sabbagh concluded that the correspondence was orchestrated by Honest Reporting and aimed at silencing legitimate criticism of Israel. In his analysis Sabbagh pointed to evidence that the correspondents had not read the article. Sabbagh also documented a significant proportion of offensive, abusive and racist insults among the correspondence. An editorial by the BMJ referred to the campaign as bullying and said that the best way to counter such behaviour was to expose it to public scrutiny.{{cite journal |url=http://www.bmj.com/content/338/bmj.b500 |title=What to do about orchestrated email campaigns |first1=Fiona |last1=Godlee |first2=Tony |last2=Delamothe |name-list-style=amp |journal=British Medical Journal |year=2009 |volume=338 |pages=b500 |doi=10.1136/bmj.b500 |pmid=19244222 |s2cid=34867504 |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223035911/https://www.bmj.com/content/338/bmj.b500 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}{{cite journal |url=http://www.bmj.com/content/338/bmj.a2066 |title=Perils of criticising Israel |last=Sabbagh |first=Karl |date=24 February 2009 |journal=British Medical Journal |volume=338 |page=a2066 |doi=10.1136/bmj.a2066 |pmid=19244219 |s2cid=7160405 |access-date=12 May 2012 |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207170034/https://www.bmj.com/content/338/bmj.a2066 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} Daniel Finkelstein, associate editor of The Times, responded that Sabbagh's piece was "anti-Israel propaganda" that did not meet even "basic academic standards" of scientific analysis.{{cite news |url=http://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/medical-journal-made-me-ill |title=Medical journal made me ill |last=Finkelstein |first=Daniel |date=5 March 2009 |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921175425/http://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/medical-journal-made-me-ill |url-status=live }}
During the Gaza war, HonestReporting said that the journalists who had photographed the October 7 Hamas attack were "part of the plan" and involved in "coordination with the terrorists"; later, the group's executive director said he had no evidence for the allegation. The report led two Israeli politicians to threaten that these journalists be killed,{{Cite web |date=2023-11-09 |title=Media watchdog says it was just 'raising questions' with insinuations about photographers and Hamas |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-photographers-attack-200be1ba47361f1c1fc113cdaeb65d04 |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=AP News |language=en}} while the Israeli Prime Minister's office said the journalists were "accomplices in crimes against humanity".{{Cite news |date=2023-11-09 |title=Reuters denies any suggestion it had prior knowledge of Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/reuters-denies-it-had-prior-knowledge-oct-7-hamas-attack-israel-2023-11-09/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213135130/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/reuters-denies-it-had-prior-knowledge-oct-7-hamas-attack-israel-2023-11-09/ |url-status=live }} The Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times and CNN strongly refuted allegations that they had prior knowledge of the Hamas attack. Yousef Masoud, whose photos were published in the NYT and AP, started photographing 90 minutes after the attack started. Reuters said that its pictures, taken by two freelance photojournalists, were taken two hours after the attack began. Additional criticism also came from the Committee to Protect Journalists. The AP and CNN announced that they would stop working with one of the freelance photographers, after HonestReporting showed a picture of him being kissed by Hamas leader Yehia Sinwar.{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/09/media/news-outlets-deny-prior-knowledge-of-hamas-attack/index.html |title=News outlets deny prior knowledge of Hamas attack after Israeli government demands answers over misleading report |author=Oliver Darcy |date=2023-11-10 |publisher=CNN |access-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110003244/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/09/media/news-outlets-deny-prior-knowledge-of-hamas-attack/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Barr |first=Jeremy |date=2023-11-09 |title=News organizations deny advance knowledge of Hamas attack |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/11/09/cnn-ap-photographer-hamas/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109223958/https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2023/11/09/cnn-ap-photographer-hamas/ |url-status=live }} Reuters described the allegations from HonestReporting as "irresponsible" and "baseless speculation" that resulted in threats towards journalists. HonestReporting stated that they "stated nothing firmly" and are not responsible for the consequences of "asking questions." In February 2024 letter to the Office of the Consulate General of Israel in New York, the New York Times demanded that Israel cease circulating the allegations, stating that "Honest Reporting has once again been trafficking in falsehoods about Mr. Masoud".{{cite web | author = David McCraw | title = Response from The New York Times to the Office of the Consulate General of Israel Regarding Yousef Masoud | date = 24 February 2024 | url = https://www.nytco.com/press/response-from-the-new-york-times-to-the-office-of-the-consulate-general-of-israel-regarding-yousef-masoud/ | access-date = March 2, 2024 | archive-date = March 2, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240302054440/https://www.nytco.com/press/response-from-the-new-york-times-to-the-office-of-the-consulate-general-of-israel-regarding-yousef-masoud/ | url-status = live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.honestreporting.com/ Honest Reporting official website]
- [https://www.theguardian.com/Archive/Article/0,4273,4140042,00.html Media manipulators] by David Leigh in The Guardian, criticizing HonestReporting
- [http://aish.com/jewishissues/mediaobjectivity/Media_Critique_17_-_The_British_Guardian.asp HonestReporting.com's response] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805132554/http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/mediaobjectivity/Media_Critique_17_-_The_British_Guardian.asp |date=August 5, 2011 }} to the "Media manipulators" article, at Aish.com
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Category:Media analysis organizations and websites
Category:Organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Category:Organizations established in 2000