Global News’ Epic One-Sentence Mess

UPDATE: After being in touch with Global News, the sentence was amended.

Air raid sirens went off late Thursday throughout Tel Aviv after an apparent rocket attack from the Gaza Strip.

* * *

The video isn’t much to watch, actually. Just 1:26 of a dark night sky with flashes of light and booming explosions. But Canada-based Global News botched a one-sentence set-up for the video, and it’s an epic mess.

One sentence.

1. Israel’s capital?
Tel Aviv isn’t Israel’s capital. If the Global News won’t take my word for it, ask Mayor Ron Huldai or The Guardian, which in 2012 changed its style guide under legal pressure from HonestReporting.

For years, we’ve seen Palestinians trying to deny Jewish claims to Jerusalem — that Jews have no ties to the city, that there was never a Jewish Temple,that the eastern half of the city is “traditionally Arab.” And now this, despite the fact that Israel’s seat of government has been in Jerusalem for decades.

So, who decides the capital of Israel?

Not the Global News.

If Israel determines that Jerusalem is the capital, then Jerusalem is the capital.

2. An “apparent” rocket attack?

By the time the IDF retaliated, the rocket fire had been confirmed. Or is Global News casting doubt on why the IDF was retaliating? How much more apparent does Global News need?

3. How densely populated?

For what its worth, Bnai Brak is Israel’s most densely populated city, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. I expect better of a professional newsroom, but it’s forgivable for people to assume Tel Aviv’s more densely crowded. A number of other nearby municipalities, such as Givatayim, Holon, Ramat Gan etc. are lumped together and collectively known as Gush Dan. Sort of like Greater New York, with subregions stretching into surrounding counties, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The editors coulda shoulda had better nuance than that.

Contact Global News requesting a correction at [email protected]

Featured image: CC BY-NC-ND Ron Shoshani;

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