More LETTERS To 'E&P' On Media Coverage of Israel and Gaza

By: E&P Staff We printed several letters over the weekend from readers commenting on media (and E&P) coverage of the conflict in Gaza. Here are more. Send letters to gmitchell@editorandpublisher.com or comment at our E&P Pub blog.
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A balanced consideration of how the Gaza clash is being coverage is a valid ? important ? part of Editor & Publisher's mission, but the anti-Israel campaign waged on your Web site's home page (in the absence of such coverage) is something else.

I've read your magazine since I was about 12 years old (I'm 58 now and a community newspaper publisher in Brooklyn). I've read the New York newspapers, all of them, at least that long. I've heard New Yorkers argue that Times coverage of Israel is reasonable and fair, and I've heard plenty of people, mostly but not exclusively in the Jewish community, point to a pro-Palestinian bias by the Times, I view I generally share; I can't, however, recall any real argument that the newspaper of record systematically displays a pro-Israel slant on its pages. (Is there a pro-Israel bias in the New York media? In the
current campaign, it certainly wasn't evident on the local news shows I've watched, but is alive and well in the New York Post, and to a lesser degree in the Daily News. Tell me, though, in international coverage, which publication has more impact ? the Post and News, or
the Times?)

As a long-time editor and publisher I am reluctant to suggest motives for coverage tilts, and won't do so now. You're certainly entitled to your commentary. I just hope you'd consider injecting more balance to Editor & Publisher's broader coverage of such an important story.

Ed Weintrob
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Those who sent soldiers to conduct intensive warfare in the world's most thickly inhabited area knew well in advance that the undoubted result would be a bloodbath, the killing of civilians, children and adults, whole families buried under the ruins of their homes. The government dooms a whole generation of young Israelis to become, quite literally, war criminals ? except for those who are themselves killed by the artillery shells which are supposed to protect them.

Adam Keller
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Hamas should not be hiding behind the cover of their people. They want to destroy Israeli innocents, but hide when they must fight soldiers. Hamas wants high civilian casualties. Its the only way they can get out of this mess. They will sacrifice their people to stay in power. Palestinian people are being used. I feel sorry for them.

Steve

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I recently read the article, "UPDATED: Media Commentary Muted as Israel Invades" by Greg Mitchell, and wanted to thank Editor and Publisher. I agree completely with the notion that media coverage of Israel's attacks and invasion were skewed. What upsets me more is the fact that so many people pretend this bias does not exist, or attempt to stifle any criticism of Israel as anti-semitic. In the interest of truth, justice, freedom of the press and the protection of journalistic integrity, thank you for exposing this bias. I look forward to reading more in the future.

Sumiya Jafri
San Diego, CA

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I always resent being put in a position where I have to defend Israel because I have a lot of problems with the country. As someone who was born and raised there and speaks the language, I have the ability to watch local newscasts. Anyone can read Haaretz online to get a balanced view of the country seeing as unlike American papers, it actually reports the news and has no problem
criticizing when criticism is due. It's also one of the better papers out there by the way.

Any statement to the effect that the media is biased towards Israel is laughable. I've watched Hamas shell Israeli cities day in and day out since Israel pulled out of Gaza as the first faze of a complete withdrawal and peace negotiation. Sane human beings would see that
withdrawal as a reason to come to the table and negotiate. Not Hamas. They proceeded to target Israeli cities in the south and shell them indiscriminately.

Yes the Israelis kill civilians but it does its best to target military targets unlike Hamas who is proud of targeting
civilians. One of the reasons they can do this is because they know that you and the world media will never report about it. They build bomb factories under schools and hospitals and then when the Israeli's try to destroy them and inevitably kill civilians the world is outraged and is so angry with the evil Israelis. My heart goes out to the Palestinian people and the people in Israel feel the same.

I don't know what media you were referring to--maybe there is a parallel universe out there that I'm not aware of where the media is biased towards Israel.

Karen Maseng