Why are major media outlets sugarcoating the brutal killings of hostages by Hamas? This question lingers heavily in the air, igniting intense public outrage and a heated debate over journalistic ethics.
At a Glance
- CNN and The New York Times faced criticism for their wording in reports about the killing of Israeli hostages by Hamas.
- Social media backlash followed reports of the recovery of Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s body in Gaza, accusing the outlets of downplaying his death.
- Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American, was a well-known hostage; his parents spoke at the Democratic National Convention pleading for a ceasefire and the hostages’ safe return.
- Critics are outraged over the use of terms like “died” instead of “murdered” by these media outlets.
- Protests and clashes occurred in Israel, demanding government action after the brutal killings.
CNN and NYT: Softening the Narrative
CNN and The New York Times have drawn considerable criticism for their lenient portrayal of the killings of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin and others. Critics charge that both outlets opted for softer wording, framing Goldberg-Polin’s fate as merely “dying” or being “found dead,” rather than explicitly stating he was “murdered” by Hamas. Such language choices have sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing the media of downplaying the brutality of the events.
Goldberg-Polin and Media Response
Social media platforms exploded with backlash after the discovery of Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s body in Gaza. Goldberg-Polin, who was well-known partly because his parents had spoken at the Democratic National Convention, pleading for a ceasefire and the safe return of the hostages. The headlines from CNN and The New York Times did not sit well with the public, who felt these narratives downplayed his tragic end. The CNN headline read “Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has died,” while The Times reported he was “found dead.”
CNN blasted for soft-touch reporting of Hamas murders
'When @CNN reports someone "has died" it's usually from old age or cancer' wrote one person.
'They kidnapped him & held him for 11 months before executing him but CNN made it sound like natural causes'https://t.co/R1NGcLX3Xt— johnny dollar (@johnnydollar01) September 3, 2024
The Outraged Public
Outrage intensified as many accused these media giants of not presenting the full gravity of the situation. “When @CNN reports that someone ‘has died,’ it’s usually from old age or cancer,” one person tweeted, emphasizing that Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by Hamas. This sentiment was echoed dozens of times across social media platforms. Citizens and commentators alike demanded more honest and direct reporting, accusing the outlets of failing their journalistic duty.
Public Protests
In Israel, thousands protested in front of military headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding the government take decisive action to secure the release of the remaining hostages. These demonstrations saw the public clashing with police forces, emphasizing the communal grief and desperation. The protests were largely driven by the families of the hostages, calling for more accountability and effective measures.
The outrage over the perceived media bias has only added fuel to an already intense situation, deepening the public’s distrust of mainstream media. It remains to be seen if media outlets will re-evaluate their approaches, but the demand for honest, forthright reporting could not be more clear — or more urgent.
