How does one lose their job for reporting the truth, yet their job description is to report the truth? Now that's a riddle that I can't seem to solve.
By now, you may have heard of the open letter that was drafted by journalists urging Canadian newsrooms and editors to provide more nuanced coverage on Palestine and to also include Palestinian voices in regards to the recent attacks that have happened on Gaza, as well as the forced expulsion of the residents of Sheikh Jarrah and the ongoing ethnic cleansing.
Growing up Muslim, I have always felt unsettled when I would watch the news on tv. It was always the same paintbrush followed by the same brush strokes, painting Muslims as the aggressors and terrorists.
This same paintbrush is also used when it comes to what is happening in Palestine and to no surprise, Palestinians are continuously painted as the provokers and 'Israel' as the victim.
How does the media get away with writing news articles that are not always factual and why is it that they can't say the word Palestine on air?
In today's episode, I sit down with a friend of mine, Sumayya Tobah, who is a political producer in Washington D.C. She has also done work for AlJazeera English, ABC News, TRT World and is currently working for CBC.
Sumayya's name was also one of the signatures on this open letter that I had just discussed. She shares with me the behind the scenes of newsrooms and the current response to this letter.
I had so many questions for Sumayya in regards to why it's so difficult for media to accurately cover what is happening in Palestine. I wanted to know why Palestine couldn't be said on air by reporters and journalists alike, and her response was a bit heartbreaking.
She also discusses the roadblocks her and her peers face when challenging editors to amplify Palestinian voices and their stories.
But is it possible that we are also witnessing a slight shift in the narrative and if so, what can we do on our end to continue to pressure the media?
Resistance comes in many different forms and covering the truth is one of them.
Enjoy and follow the pod on Instagram:
@unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Sumayya Tobah on Instagram:
@thisissumayya
Read the Open Letter here:
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