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-Read the excerpt below from NY Post's Aug. 25 editorial.
-Read "Types of Media Bias" in the right column. Then answer the questions.

Hamas scored a propaganda coup in Monday’s New York Times [Aug.25], which published a Palestinian teen’s dubious claims that he was tortured by Israeli soldiers.

It’s another low point for the Times, whose reporting often skews against Israel – and also a vivid example of the off-kilter coverage of the Gaza conflict generally.

abu-raida

The photo accompanying the Times article with the caption “Ahmed Abu Raida, a Palestinian teenager who said Israeli soldiers detained him for five days.”

Ahmed Jabal Abu Raida says he was detained for five days, forced to sleep blindfolded and handcuffed and made to search for Hamas tunnels in Gaza – a violation of international law if true, the Times says.

His “ordeal,” as the Times calls it, is a conveniently timed story, coming just days after Hamas committed an undeniable atrocity by lining up 18 Palestinians it accused of “collaboration” and killing them in cold blood.

Equally convenient is his claim that he was used as a “human shield” by the Israelis, when it is Hamas that has repeatedly used its own people, including Palestinian children, in that way.

Israel admits Abu Raida was detained as a suspected terrorist, but the story has holes. For one, his father is an official in the Hamas-run government.

For another, his family says it “forgot” to take photos after his release to document his charges and threw away clothes he says he was given after he was forced to sleep in his underwear.

Hokey as it sounds, the Times still ran the story, even while admitting the claims couldn’t “be independently corroborated.”

Here’s the problem: To end the conflict in Gaza, the world must bring all the pressure it can to bear on the aggressor: Hamas. For that to happen, however, it will take reporting that is more honest than what the Times – and others – have offered.
(from the editorial board of NYPost)

Identifying Media Bias

To accurately identify different types of bias, you should be aware of the issues of the day, and the liberal and conservative perspectives on each issue.

Types of Media Bias:

Questions

1.  The NY Post editors write:  “the Times still ran the story, even while admitting the claims couldn’t ‘be independently corroborated.'”
a)  Define corroborate.
b)  Why do you think the Times ran the story without corroboration?

2. What type of bias do the Post editors assert the Times is displaying in its article on Palestinian teen Ahmed Abu Raida?

CHALLENGE QUESTION:  Read the Society of Journalists “Code of Ethics” at: spj.org/ethicscode.asp.  The preamble of the code of ethics states “the duty of the journalist to … seek truth and provid[e] a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.”  Of the following four points of the code:

  • Seek Truth and Report It
  • Minimize Harm
  • Act Independently
  • Be Accountable

which does the Times fail to fulfill?

(For the Times article on Abu Raida, go to: nytimes.com)


Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the answers.

Answers

1.  a) corroborate – to support or help prove (a statement, theory, etc.) by providing information or evidence (from merriam-webster .com)
b) Opinion question. Answers vary.

2.  The Post editors assert the Times is displaying bias by spin in its article on Palestinian teen Ahmed Abu Raida. (also story selection and/or selection of sources)