CNN is controlled by the Jerusalem bureau – Another propaganda tool of the terrorist.

Ilias Achkaoukaou

News - 14 January 2024 - 7 min

It has been revealed that CNN, an international news organization, is subject to significant control by the Jerusalem bureau. This influence is particularly evident in the coverage of sensitive political issues, especially those concerning Israel and Palestine. Reports indicate that every piece of news related to these areas must be vetted by the Jerusalem bureau prior to publication, effectively placing CNN's journalists worldwide under the indirect influence of the country's military censorship.

The Intercept, an investigative news outlet, shed light on these practices in a detailed report last month. The military censor, as part of the Israeli Occupation Force (IOF), imposes stringent restrictions on a range of topics deemed sensitive or potentially harmful to national security. This includes reporting on security cabinet meetings, discussions of hostages, and details of weapons captured by fighters in conflict zones such as Gaza.

Even more disquieting is the alleged sway that this control holds over CNN's editorial choices. Key terms such as 'genocide' and 'ethnic cleansing,' which carry substantial weight and implications in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict, appear conspicuously absent from CNN's reporting. Incidents involving Israeli air attacks are at times downplayed and described merely as 'blasts,' with attribution to Israeli forces often withheld until officially acknowledged by the IOF. Critics argue that these editorial practices not only skew the narrative but also sanitize the reporting, effectively creating a disconnect from the grim realities on the ground.

Adding a layer of complexity to this issue, CNN's decision to enlist the services of Tamar Michaelis, a former member of the IOF's Military Spokesperson Unit, as a reporter during a period of heightened conflict has led to questions about the network's commitment to objectivity and independence in journalism. Such an appointment blurs the line between unbiased reporting and the potential for conflicts of interest. Her name has appeared on dozens of stories citing the IOF spokesperson and relaying information about the IOF's operations in the Gaza Strip. At least one article bearing only her byline is little more than a direct statement released from the IOF.

In response to these allegations, a spokesperson from CNN has explained that the policy of subjecting stories related to Israel and Palestine to review by the Jerusalem bureau has been in place for several years. The stated objective is to ensure that CNN's reporting is as precise and accurate as possible, given the intricate and multifaceted nature of the local context. The spokesperson has also clarified that this protocol does not involve sharing content with government bodies in advance, but it does include seeking comments from relevant officials before publication, a practice deemed good journalistic practice by CNN.

Nevertheless, an anonymous CNN staff member has provided a contrasting viewpoint to The Intercept. This source, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to concerns of professional reprisal, has alleged that the internal review policy has indeed led to discernible bias in the network's coverage of the Gaza conflict. According to the insider, Every single Israel-Palestine-related line for reporting must seek approval from the Jerusalem bureau – or, when the bureau is not staffed, from a select few handpicked by the bureau and senior management – from which lines are most often edited with a very specific nuance that favors Israeli narratives.” CNN’s policy is resulting in edits that often align with Israeli narratives, thereby influencing the final news presentation. 

This issue goes beyond the confines of CNN and highlights the delicate balance between press freedom and military censorship that exists in the region. It forces journalist to frequently self-censor their reporting for fear of running afoul of prohibited subjects, losing their press credentials, including the obligation to issue public apologies, as exemplified by the BBC in 2005.

Additionally, international broadcasters such as CNN and the BBC have faced criticism for their willingness to submit footage recorded in Gaza to the military censor in exchange for limited access to the region. Becky Anderson, a journalist with CNN, said, “Journalists embedded with the IDF in Gaza operate under the observation of Israeli commanders in the field, and are not permitted to move unaccompanied within the strip. As a condition to enter Gaza under IDF escort, outlets have to submit all materials and footage to the Israeli military for review prior to publication.”

The military censor's influence on reporting perpetuates a filtered view of events unfolding on the ground, one that appears to favor the Israeli government and military. Journalists who resist such censorship and the intimidation tactics of the IOF face grave consequences. As of Sunday, January 14, 2024, over 100 journalists have been killed, often deliberately targeted, or even subjected to threats against their families in an effort to dissuade them from reporting the unvarnished truth.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has accused the Israeli military of targeting journalists and their families in Gaza. The CPJ expressed particular concern about a disturbing pattern where journalists were targeted and their family members killed. In one instance, a journalist was killed while clearly wearing press insignia in an area where no fighting was taking place. In at least two other cases, journalists reported receiving threats from Israeli officials and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officers prior to the killing of their family members.

Before the IOF targeted the father of Al-Jazeera journalist Al-Sharif, he had received threats from Israeli military officers via phone calls on November 22. The journalist revealed that he had received multiple phone calls from officers in the Israeli army instructing him to cease coverage and leave northern Gaza. Additionally, he received voice notes on WhatsApp disclosing his location.

“CPJ is deeply alarmed by the pattern of journalists in Gaza reporting receiving threats, and subsequently, their family members being killed,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour. “The killing of the family members of journalists in Gaza is making it almost impossible for the journalists to continue reporting, as the risk now extends beyond them also to include their beloved ones.”

The tragic story of Wael al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera's Gaza bureau chief, serves as a poignant example. He lost his wife, 7-year-old daughter, and 15-year-old son in October, and more recently, his 27-year-old son Hamza was killed. Hamza was a journalist just like his father, and his loss has left a profound impact on their family and the journalism community.

In a statement issued after an extended period of silence, the Israeli military confirmed that it had deliberately targeted the journalists' vehicle, referring to the murdered men as "suspects." The journalists posed a perceived threat to Israel due to their reporting on the barbaric nature of the IOF and Israel.

Another victim in this tragic sequence was Hazem Tajab, part of the group of journalists that had been targeted while carrying out their professional duties in an area officially designated as a "safe zone" for civilians.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked whether the United States condemned the targeting of journalists by Israel. In response, Blinken stopped short of condemning either the murder of Hamza or Israel's practice of deliberately killing journalists. Instead, he expressed condolences for the deaths and referred to them as a "tragedy," sparking criticism for not taking a stronger stance on the issue.