Mainstream media incorrectly reported on Gaza hospital attack

[New Sancai Compilation and First Release] Many mainstream media initially reported that Israel was responsible for the bombing of a hospital in Gaza on October 17, but later confirmed that the explosion was determined to be a malfunctioning rocket launched by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. However, the mainstream media that initially made false reports did not apologize or issue corrections, blaming Israel as the culprit.

Israel initially denied any involvement in the explosion, but later found evidence that the rocket came from Islamic Jihad, a group that has always supported Hamas in its rule of the Gaza Strip. U.S. intelligence agencies also confirmed the Israeli investigation results, and there was more evidence that the rocket hit the hospital parking lot rather than directly hitting the hospital.

Many headlines on the Internet at the time were quick to blame Israel and directly believe the false information provided by Hamas's health ministry. However, these messages were directly quoted by the mainstream media, saying that Israeli attacks on hospitals killed hundreds or even 500 people.

One media article even said that the Ministry of Health run by Hamas would never dare to lie to them. But there are also op-eds saying reporters at these outlets treat the anti-Semitic Hamas as a trustworthy source and then rush to publish stories without fact-checking.

The reports that initially accused Israel later triggered large-scale protests in the Middle East, and the planned October 18 summit between US President Biden and the kings of Jordan and Egypt, as well as Palestinian leaders, were also cancelled. Protests have also broken out in some parts of the country, including one in Washington, D.C., led by a Michigan Democratic congressman who is a long-time supporter of Palestinian groups.

It seems that several major media outlets in the United States have not corrected their initial reports accusing Israel, but only adjusted the headlines to be more neutral. Two media outlets stated in their reports the challenges faced by journalists in reporting such news. Fortunately, the international editor of one Post said his organization reminds their reporters that the first source of information in a war can often be wrong and a pause is necessary to ensure that no hasty conclusions are drawn.

(Compiled by: Mulian)
(Editor: Jiang Qiming)
(Source of the article: First published by Xinsancai)