CNN's Gaza Coverage: Influenced by Jerusalem Bureau and IDF Censorship

Recent investigations by The Intercept have revealed concerning details about CNN's coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict, highlighting the influence of both CNN's Jerusalem bureau and the Israeli military censor. Every CNN journalist reporting on Israel and Palestine is required to submit their work for review to the Jerusalem bureau, a policy meant to ensure accuracy but also shaping the network's coverage under the oversight of Israel's military censor. This bureau operates under the rules of the Israeli Defense Forces's censor, which restricts reporting on certain subjects and censors content deemed unfit or unsafe.

Notably, the use of specific language in reporting has come under scrutiny. For example, CNN directed its journalists to describe the Ministry of Health in Gaza as "Hamas-controlled" when referring to casualty statistics or claims related to the conflict. This directive aligns with similar instructions from the onset of the war in Afghanistan in 2001, where CNN was ordered to downplay civilian deaths and link the violence to the attacks on September 11.

Furthermore, the differential treatment of information based on its source is evident. Statements from Israeli army and government officials are often approved quickly, while Palestinian sources face heavy scrutiny and slower processing. The term "blasts" is used for Israeli bombings in Gaza until the Israeli military comments, avoiding words like "war crime" and "genocide."

Additionally, CNN's hiring of a former Israeli army soldier, Tamar Michaelis, for reporting during the war, further raises questions about impartiality. Her reporting predominantly cites the Israeli Defense Ministry and covers the IDF's operations in Gaza.

This situation underscores the complexities of media coverage in conflict zones, especially where a military censor exerts influence. It highlights the need for critical examination of news sources and the narratives they present.