It appears that our recent communique taking Johann Hari of the Independent to task has hit a raw nerve. Hari, employing Christian religious symbolism to attack Israel, tastelessly described the Virgin Mary as a “Palestinian refugee in Bethlehem”, and present-day pregnant Palestinian women as “21st century Marys” who “have been giving birth in startlingly similar conditions to those suffered by Mary 2,000 years ago.”
Rather than responding in an intellectual and intelligent manner, Hari uses his personal website to abuse HonestReporting, referring to us as:
“a fanatical pressure group in the US…who believe they are pro-Israeli. In fact, they are advocate a course of action – endless occupation of Palestinian lands, and military aggression – that is profoundly endangering Israel’s existence in the long-term.”
Hari then goes on to attack respected Jerusalem Post commentator Caroline Glick. Why does Hari resort to simply labelling supporters of Israel or citizens concerned with biased or innaccurate reporting, as “fanatics”? This is an easy way of delegitimising the valid opinions of an organisation (and by association, its subscribers) by painting them as belonging to a fringe viewpoint.
For Johann Hari’s information, HonestReporting operates in the US, UK and Israel. We have subscribers from around the world who hold a range of political and religious views, from left to right, religious to secular, Jews, Christians and others. HonestReporting seeks to ensure that Israeli political and military actions are represented fairly irrespective of whether one agrees with a particular policy or not. Hari might learn a trick or two by being liberally-minded enough to consider the validity of opposing views.
As Hari felt it necessary to respond in such a manner, we can only assume that our criticism and the many e-mails that were sent to the Independent struck a chord. You, our subscribers, have once again demonstrated that it is possible to hold the media to account.
FIRST REPORT: LATEST REUTERS PHOTO GAFFE
An HR UK subscriber also deserves credit for exposing the image below, part of Reuters’ expensively produced, glossy 2007 “Eyes on the world” desk calendar. Sent out as an exclusive end of year gift to clients, it is clear that much time and effort has gone into its production.
A large percentage of Reuters’ photos and captions depicts conflict imagery of Israel and the Mideast such as the above. The calendar, however, consists entirely of images and captions depicting positivity, achievement or culture. Only the above image and caption displays any militaristic or negative subject matter.
Click here to read the full story at HonestReporting.com and here to send your comments to Reuters’ Press and PR Office.
to media bias.
