New York Times anti-Israel bias

FROM NEWSMAX.COM

Study Documents NY Times’ Anti-Israel Bias

A new study by a media-monitoring organization exposes the New York Times’ consistent anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian bias in its coverage of the Middle East conflict.

The study was conducted by the Committee for Accuracy in Middle Eastern Reporting in America (CAMERA), which claims 65,000 U.S. members across a broad political spectrum.

CAMERA investigated the Times’ coverage between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2011, and says the probe “reveals empirically that there is real cause for concern. The dominant finding of the study is a disproportionate, continuous, embedded indictment of Israel that dominates both news and commentary sections. Israeli views are downplayed while Palestinian perspectives, especially criticism of Israel, are amplified and even promoted.”

Among the findings of the CAMERA study:

• The Times presents criticism of Israel more than twice as often as it criticizes the Palestinians. Of 275 passages in the news pages classified as criticism, 187 were critical of Israel while 88 criticized the Palestinians.
• Of 37 articles mentioning Israel’s border policies and naval blockade of Gaza, just six cited Israel’s goal of preventing weapons from entering Gaza and even fewer noted that weapons in Gaza often are fired into Israel.
• When the Times reported on the Israeli military boarding a Turkish ship carrying pro-Palestinian activists, only eight of 37 articles mentioned the activists’ violence that precipitated the use of firearms by the Israelis.
• Twelve headlines mentioned Palestinian fatalities in the conflict, while none explicitly mentioned Israeli deaths, even though 14 Israelis were killed during the study period.
• Israeli actions frequently were cited as obstacles to peace, but the Palestinian Authority’s refusal to recognize a Jewish state was never described as an obstacle.
• On the paper’s opinion pages, editorials consistently blamed Israel for the Palestinian-Israel conflict. Of 20 editorials, columns, and Op-Eds cited by CAMERA, 15 predominantly criticized Israel and none predominantly criticized the Palestinians.

CAMERA concludes: “Although the [Israeli-Palestinian] conflict is a matter of great controversy, with loud voices on all sides seeking to make their case, only one side’s concerns are promoted in The Times, while the opposing side is marginalized.”

PJ Media states: “CAMERA’s study provides objective documentation that demonstrates exactly how The New York Times abandoned journalistic standards to turn coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict into the supposedly ‘progressive’ cause of indicting Israel.”

Shore rebuilding discussed

Environmental Commissioner Martin Discusses Shore Rebuilding & Mitigation with Area Mayors

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Senator Beck Brings Commissioner to Monmouth to Provide Update of DEP’s Involvement in Post-Sandy Efforts

At the request of Senator Jennifer Beck, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Martin addressed area mayors and administrators in Long Branch. The commissioner discussed what local towns looking to rebuild and mitigate after Sandy can expect from the Department.

“I felt it was important for municipal leaders to get some information directly from the source,” said Beck. “I’ve spoken with so many mayors who have questions about rebuilding and what the DEP will allow. The Commissioner’s office was responsive to the needs of our towns and he was happy to come talk with us about the DEP’s role.”

Immediately after the storm, the DEP made debris removal and recycling a priority. The Christie Administration and the Commissioner worked with communities to remove these materials to landfills, incinerators, and recycling facilities as quickly as possible so that residents can begin to rebuild. Now the Department is turning its attention to long term issues like dredging and infrastructure.”

“The mayors had questions about everything from boardwalk rebuilding to the newly released base flood elevation maps,” explained Beck. “There are so many moving parts involved repairing the damage of Sandy and rebuilding, our towns are working hard to make sure we come back quickly, but they also want to do it right.”

“Commissioner Martin offered great insight and he left the mayors feeling a little more comfortable with the rebuilding efforts,” Beck stated. “He made it clear that the Department is sensitive to the fact that each town is unique and has its own set of problems and needs. Commissioner Martin promised that the DEP would work with each town to make the process as easy as possible. We still have a lot of work to do, but knowing the state and our towns can work hand-in-hand is an important step in restoring the Jersey shore.”

Representatives from the Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, Neptune Township, Neptune City, Long Branch, Keyport, Deal, Sea Bright and Middletown were among those in attendance.

Disabled parking privileges

Legislation sponsored by Senators Diane Allen (R- Burlington) and Joe Pennacchio (R- Morris) updating state laws to prevent abuse and wrongful issuance of disabled parking placards has been signed by Governor Chris Christie.

“Every time someone who is not disabled inappropriately obtains or uses a placard, he or she takes that parking space away from someone truly in need,” said Allen. “I’m pleased that the Governor has signed common sense changes to the law that will ensure proper verification of a placard holder’s disability on an ongoing basis.”

Under the new law, applications by persons with disabilities for identification cards and parking placards would require a signed verification by a physician, physicians assistant, licensed chiropractor, or nurse practitioner, of the applicant’s disability. Placards would expire and require renewal every three years, and the fees to obtain persons with disabilities identification cards and parking placards would be waived.

Florida, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and California exercise some or all of these restrictions.

“Disabled motorists and passengers have a right to reserved parking spaces and should not be displaced by others who do not qualify for the privilege,” said Senator Pennacchio. “This is about protecting the rights of those New Jerseyans living with disabilities.”