Kiwis for Balanced Reporting on the Middle East
March 6, 2010
Another attack by Minto, another appeal by KBRM
The anti-Israel crowd tries hard to destroy the credibility of groups like KBRM that dare to tell the truth about Israel. An example appeared on the stuff website when John Minto wrote ‘Some Jewish groups go so far as claiming any criticism of Israel is fuelled by anti-Semitism’. KBRM asked Mr Minto three times to provide examples of such groups, with no response (see October 24 post). Then, after a formal complaint was filed with the editor of the website, Mr Minto replied that ‘numerous references’ to such groups can be found on the web... as if that proved anything. The KBRM chairman then appealed to the Press Council:
In the article ‘A dispiriting overreaction at the museum’, John Minto wrote ‘Some Jewish groups go so far as claiming any criticism of Israel is fuelled by anti-Semitism.’ This is a false and defamatory statement. I am familiar with many media-monitoring groups who have defended Israel against unfair criticism, and I don't know of one that is so foolish as to believe what Mr Minto said. His response that you can find it on the web is ridiculous. First, I did some googling as he suggested and didn't find any such thing. More to the point, everyone knows you can find all sorts of garbage on the web. If Mr Minto found such a defamatory accusation on the web, he should have checked it before stating it as fact.
The charge is defamatory because it damages the reputation and the credibility of groups who defend Israel against invalid and unfair criticisms. It imputes to such groups a complete irrationality and loss of common sense. Of course there are valid criticisms of Israel. In fact, many Jews and Israelis are among the strongest critics of Israel. To impute to media-monitoring groups, whether they are Jewish or not, this ridiculous and irrational claim is to lower the public's opinion of what they are and what they do. It reduces them from being ‘honest brokers’ to blind, one-sided idiots who shouldn't be listened to. This statement is a false accusations against Jews that fuels the very anti-Semitism that Mr Minto says he is opposed to.
Principles Breached
- 1. Accuracy
Publications (newspapers and magazines) should be guided at all times by accuracy, fairness and balance, and should not deliberately mislead or misinform readers by commission, or omission.
- 2. Corrections
Where it is established that there has been published information that is materially incorrect then the publication should promptly correct the error giving the correction fair prominence. In some circumstances it will be appropriate to offer an apology and a right of reply to an affected person or persons.
- 6. Comment and Fact
Publications should, as far as possible, make proper distinctions between reporting of facts and conjecture, passing of opinions and comment.
Chairman
Kiwis for Balanced Reporting on the Middle East