Israel Matzav

All we should expect from journalists is objectivity

When asked if she was a Zionist, incoming New York Times bureau chief Jodi Rudoren said that the only "ist" with which she wanted to be identified is "journalist." David HaIvri, who is a spokesman for the Jewish community in Judea and Samaria, agrees.

The New York Times’ newly-appointed Bureau Chief Judi Rodoren came under fire this week from pro-Israel bloggers who noticed that she sent a friendly tweet to a very obnoxious anti-Israel propagandist based in Chicago. Rodoren, also an American Jew, was put to the test on her questionable relationship with a hater of Israel. “Is she a Zionist?” was one question asked. Her response was that the only “ist” she would call herself is “journalist.” Well, that is really what is expected of her. She is not coming to Israel as a representative of American Jewry (whose support for their President Obama calls into question their support for Israel even more than Rodoren’s tweet with the Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah).

I would be glad to see American Jews in general be more supportive of Israel – but in regard to foreign journalists, Jewish or otherwise, I wish to see objective reporting. Tell the story like it is and let the readers decide for themselves. Don’t make us Jewish-Israeli-Zionists out to be monsters, and don’t make the Islamic Jihadi terrorists out to be peaceful human rights activists. There is a real story going on here in this beautiful and tiny country. It might very well be the most interesting story in the world. Journalists stationed here should open their eyes and report what they see without ugly accent colors painted by hate-mongers tweet blasting from Chicago or elsewhere.

As I understand it, the problem with the Times is not the reporters, who are generally quite professional, but the editors back in New York who insert their own political (and nearly always anti-Israel) slant. Of course, there are always exceptions, but to this point I have to agree with David.

Read the whole thing.

Labels: anti-Israel media bias, David HaIvri, Jodi Rudoren, New York Times

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:35 PM