CBS ‘News’ criticized for minimizing Israeli civilian massacre.
CBS News Faces Backlash for Downplaying Hamas Terror Attacks
CBS News received widespread criticism on Thursday for publishing a post that seemed to minimize the horrific terror attacks carried out by Hamas against Israeli civilians. The attacks resulted in over 1,300 deaths and left thousands more injured.
The controversial post highlighted the incredible survival story of 10-month-old twins whose parents hid them just before the Hamas terrorists arrived at Kfar Aza kibbutz. Tragically, the parents and several others, including children and babies, were killed in the attack.
However, it was the use of scare quotes around the word “massacre” that sparked outrage among readers. The post stated, “10-month-old Israeli twins were found hidden and unharmed at kibbutz where Hamas ‘massacred’ their parents and beheaded children.”
10-month-old Israeli twins were found hidden and unharmed at kibbutz where Hamas “massacred” their parents and beheaded children. https://t.co/9YCtAJ6KTs
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 12, 2023
Critics argued that CBS had downplayed the brutality and horror of the attack by using scare quotes. They sarcastically referred to CBS News as CBS “News” and accused the outlet of lacking journalistic integrity.
Larry O’Connor tweeted, “Putting the ‘BS’ in CBS.”
CBS “social justice” reporter @WritingLiYakira is the “journalist” who put quotes around the word massacre as if Hamas’s attacks weren’t in fact massacres of civilians. https://t.co/VqvfVsKqkr
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) October 12, 2023
Emily Zanotti expressed her disbelief, stating, “Uhhhh … you can drop the quotes off ‘massacred.’ Because they were massacred.”
Stephen Miller criticized CBS News, saying, “CBS news with scare quotes around the word massacred.”
CBS news with scare quotes around the word massacred. https://t.co/k7QaTBwt09
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) October 12, 2023
Margot Cleveland from The Federalist drew parallels to the Holocaust and criticized CBS News for their handling of the story.
I hate having to repost CBS “News” h/t @MZHemingway but I have tears and chills as I remember seeing this photo and family reported as all killed, but the parents saved their babies by hiding them . . .how much more parallel to the Holocaust must we get? https://t.co/Aa4wzQ65it
— Margot Cleveland (@ProfMJCleveland) October 12, 2023
Jennifer Van Laar questioned CBS’s choice of using scare quotes, asking, “Is it not a real massacre? Why the quotes on that word, CBS?”
Dawn Buckingham condemned CBS News for their handling of the story and accused them of disgusting behavior.
This is CBS “news.” @CBSNews https://t.co/Bw91pLq2Tu
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) October 12, 2023
CBS “News” https://t.co/4bPFKU7yyK
— Anna James Zeigler (@ajzeigler) October 12, 2023
Awesome job, CBS “News” https://t.co/yQ7dXuniRh
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) October 12, 2023
What is the responsibility of news organizations when reporting on sensitive and complex conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and how can they avoid distorting the truth or fueling further division
In a statement, CBS News defended their choice of words, stating that the use of scare quotes was not meant to downplay the severity of the attacks, but rather to indicate that the word “massacre” was being attributed to Hamas. However, many readers found this explanation unsatisfactory and argued that it undermined the seriousness of the situation.
The criticism of CBS News is part of a broader debate surrounding media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that mainstream media outlets often portray Israel as the aggressor and fail to adequately highlight the violence perpetrated by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.
This incident is just the latest example of a news organization being accused of biased reporting when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that such reporting perpetuates a false narrative that ignores the countless acts of terror carried out by Hamas and other groups.
It is essential for news organizations to provide accurate and unbiased reporting of events, particularly in such sensitive and complex conflicts. By downplaying or minimizing acts of terrorism, news outlets risk distorting the truth and fueling further division.
In this case, CBS News faced backlash for their choice of words, which many readers interpreted as an attempt to diminish the severity of the attacks carried out by Hamas. As an influential media organization, CBS News has a responsibility to report events accurately and without bias.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply entrenched and complex issue with no easy solutions. However, the media has a vital role to play in shaping public understanding and opinion. It is crucial that news organizations approach this issue with the utmost sensitivity and journalistic integrity, providing objective and comprehensive coverage that respects the experiences and suffering of all those affected by the conflict.
In a world where media is constantly evolving, it is imperative that news outlets maintain high ethical standards and hold themselves accountable for their reporting. CBS News must learn from this incident and take steps to rebuild trust with its viewers by ensuring that their coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and all conflicts, is fair, accurate, and impartial. Only then can they truly fulfill their role as objective purveyors of news and information.
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