- Welcome to Free Minds.
Free Your Mind!
Recent posts
#1
Discuss Latest World News / Re: How can we see the Palesti...
Last post by almarh0m - April 30, 2024, 09:10:16 PMProfs Urge NYT to Probe False Oct. 7 Rape Story
April 30, 2024
Save
More than 50 journalism professors call for an independent review into the debunked NYT story "Screams Without Words."
The New York Times headquarters, 620 Eighth Avenue, 2019. (Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
By Julia Conley
Common Dreams
Nothing can "reverse the damage done to Palestine and to Palestinians," said the professors, "but the Times could still reverse some of the damage it has done to itself with its silence."
A front-page New York Times story that Israel used to galvanize public support for its U.S.-backed assault on Gaza must be subject to an independent review, more than 50 journalism professors said in a letter to the newspaper on Monday, as growing protests signified widespread outrage over the destruction that followed the bombshell article.
The professors, many of whom worked as full-time journalists before turning to academia, wrote to Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, executive editor Joe Kahn, and international editor Philip Pan, calling for a "thorough and independent review" into the article "Screams Without Words: Sexual Violence on Oct. 7."
The letter urged the newspaper to form a commission made up of journalism experts to examine the "reporting, editing, and publishing processes" for the story.
The article came under scrutiny shortly after it was published, having been reported by not only international correspondent Jeffrey Gettleman but also two inexperienced freelancers based in Israel. One, Anat Schwartz, is a "former air force intelligence official" with whom the Times cut ties after it was revealed that she had "liked" a social media post calling for Gaza to be turned into a "slaughterhouse."
"It appears that extraordinary trust was invested in these individuals and the Times would benefit from publicly explaining the circumstances that justified such unusual reliance on freelancers for such an important story," the professors wrote. The academics included Mohamad Bazzi of New York University, Shahan Mufti of University of Richmond, and Jeff Cohen, who retired from Ithaca College.
Mufti joined Northwestern University assistant professor Steven Thrasher in gathering the signatures. He told The Washington Post that after "serious consideration and deliberation," the academics "came to the conclusion that this is necessary."
'Facts' Without Evidence
In addition to questions that have been raised about Schwartz's and Sella's experience and bias, the professors pointed to the newspaper's acknowledgment on March 26 that "new video evidence 'undercut' some important details" in "Screams Without Words," as well as Gettleman's comment suggesting he did not view the information in the story as hard "evidence."
"Can the paper 'establish' fact if its own reporter does not consider his information 'evidence'?" asked the professors.
In March, a spokesperson for Kibbutz Be'eri told The Intercept that victims of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel were not sexually assaulted, and the family of one woman who was a key figure in "Screams Without Words" has denied the report's graphic details of sexual abuse were true.
The Intercept also wrote that in reporting on the alleged sexual assaults, Schwartz relied on interviews with a rescue group that was "documented to have mishandled evidence and spread multiple false stories about the events of October 7, including debunked allegations of Hamas operatives beheading babies."
Al Jazeera journalist Laila Al-Arian called Monday's letter a "major development" and urged the Times to "do the right thing."
The methods used by Schwartz, The Intercept noted earlier this month, were the building blocks for a story that "instantly served as a powerful reference in a mounting campaign waged by Israel and its supporters" to excuse Israel's assault on Gaza.
"The impact of The New York Times story is impossible to fathom," the professors wrote.
"This is wartime and in the minds of many people, the Times' story fueled the fire at a pivotal moment when there might have been an opportunity to contain it before, as the International Court of Justice has ruled, the situation devolved into the 'plausible' realm of genocide. Considering these grave circumstances, we believe that the Times must waste no time in extending an invitation for an independent review."
External Review 'Appropriate'
An missile attack on Gaza in October, 2023. (Ali Hamad of APAimages for WAFA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
The article, said one signatory, Sandy Tolan of the University of Southern California, was published "as the death toll mounted in Gaza, and criticism was beginning to focus more on Israel."
"Being cognizant of the potential damages of and consequences of the timing," Tolan told the Post, "given that it didn't appear to be as well-reported as it should have been, there's all the more reason why an external review is appropriate."
The signatories pointed out that there is significant precedent for newspapers conducting independent reviews of articles that have raised questions about bias and veracity.
"If an independent review finds that the Times did nothing gravely wrong, then it will be a win not just for the Times but for all journalism," the professors wrote.
"In the worst case, if an investigation does find remarkable errors or negligence in the way the newsroom operated, nothing that the Times would do in response could ever reverse the damage done to Palestine and to Palestinians but the Times could still reverse some of the damage it has done to itself with its silence."
"Doing nothing, however," they added, "and allowing a cloud of doubt to hang over this historically consequential story will ensure that all the journalism that The New York Times produces in the course of this conflict will remain under a dark shadow."
Julia Conley is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
Views expressed in this article and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
Post Views: 1,947
Tags: A.G. Sulzberger Anat Schwartz Jeff Cohen Jeffrey Gettleman Jo
April 30, 2024
Save
More than 50 journalism professors call for an independent review into the debunked NYT story "Screams Without Words."
The New York Times headquarters, 620 Eighth Avenue, 2019. (Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
By Julia Conley
Common Dreams
Nothing can "reverse the damage done to Palestine and to Palestinians," said the professors, "but the Times could still reverse some of the damage it has done to itself with its silence."
A front-page New York Times story that Israel used to galvanize public support for its U.S.-backed assault on Gaza must be subject to an independent review, more than 50 journalism professors said in a letter to the newspaper on Monday, as growing protests signified widespread outrage over the destruction that followed the bombshell article.
The professors, many of whom worked as full-time journalists before turning to academia, wrote to Times publisher A.G. Sulzberger, executive editor Joe Kahn, and international editor Philip Pan, calling for a "thorough and independent review" into the article "Screams Without Words: Sexual Violence on Oct. 7."
The letter urged the newspaper to form a commission made up of journalism experts to examine the "reporting, editing, and publishing processes" for the story.
The article came under scrutiny shortly after it was published, having been reported by not only international correspondent Jeffrey Gettleman but also two inexperienced freelancers based in Israel. One, Anat Schwartz, is a "former air force intelligence official" with whom the Times cut ties after it was revealed that she had "liked" a social media post calling for Gaza to be turned into a "slaughterhouse."
"It appears that extraordinary trust was invested in these individuals and the Times would benefit from publicly explaining the circumstances that justified such unusual reliance on freelancers for such an important story," the professors wrote. The academics included Mohamad Bazzi of New York University, Shahan Mufti of University of Richmond, and Jeff Cohen, who retired from Ithaca College.
Mufti joined Northwestern University assistant professor Steven Thrasher in gathering the signatures. He told The Washington Post that after "serious consideration and deliberation," the academics "came to the conclusion that this is necessary."
'Facts' Without Evidence
In addition to questions that have been raised about Schwartz's and Sella's experience and bias, the professors pointed to the newspaper's acknowledgment on March 26 that "new video evidence 'undercut' some important details" in "Screams Without Words," as well as Gettleman's comment suggesting he did not view the information in the story as hard "evidence."
"Can the paper 'establish' fact if its own reporter does not consider his information 'evidence'?" asked the professors.
In March, a spokesperson for Kibbutz Be'eri told The Intercept that victims of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel were not sexually assaulted, and the family of one woman who was a key figure in "Screams Without Words" has denied the report's graphic details of sexual abuse were true.
The Intercept also wrote that in reporting on the alleged sexual assaults, Schwartz relied on interviews with a rescue group that was "documented to have mishandled evidence and spread multiple false stories about the events of October 7, including debunked allegations of Hamas operatives beheading babies."
Al Jazeera journalist Laila Al-Arian called Monday's letter a "major development" and urged the Times to "do the right thing."
The methods used by Schwartz, The Intercept noted earlier this month, were the building blocks for a story that "instantly served as a powerful reference in a mounting campaign waged by Israel and its supporters" to excuse Israel's assault on Gaza.
"The impact of The New York Times story is impossible to fathom," the professors wrote.
"This is wartime and in the minds of many people, the Times' story fueled the fire at a pivotal moment when there might have been an opportunity to contain it before, as the International Court of Justice has ruled, the situation devolved into the 'plausible' realm of genocide. Considering these grave circumstances, we believe that the Times must waste no time in extending an invitation for an independent review."
External Review 'Appropriate'
An missile attack on Gaza in October, 2023. (Ali Hamad of APAimages for WAFA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
The article, said one signatory, Sandy Tolan of the University of Southern California, was published "as the death toll mounted in Gaza, and criticism was beginning to focus more on Israel."
"Being cognizant of the potential damages of and consequences of the timing," Tolan told the Post, "given that it didn't appear to be as well-reported as it should have been, there's all the more reason why an external review is appropriate."
The signatories pointed out that there is significant precedent for newspapers conducting independent reviews of articles that have raised questions about bias and veracity.
"If an independent review finds that the Times did nothing gravely wrong, then it will be a win not just for the Times but for all journalism," the professors wrote.
"In the worst case, if an investigation does find remarkable errors or negligence in the way the newsroom operated, nothing that the Times would do in response could ever reverse the damage done to Palestine and to Palestinians but the Times could still reverse some of the damage it has done to itself with its silence."
"Doing nothing, however," they added, "and allowing a cloud of doubt to hang over this historically consequential story will ensure that all the journalism that The New York Times produces in the course of this conflict will remain under a dark shadow."
Julia Conley is a staff writer for Common Dreams.
Views expressed in this article and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
Post Views: 1,947
Tags: A.G. Sulzberger Anat Schwartz Jeff Cohen Jeffrey Gettleman Jo
#2
Discuss Latest World News / Re: How can we see the Palesti...
Last post by 111111 - April 30, 2024, 10:37:03 AMpeace:
How can we see the Palestine- Israel conflict from a Qur'an alone perspective
a clear question is stated and the hypocrite only speak of the nonsense of good and evil, peace and love, love each other.
What the quran ordains in a situation like the current one:
4:75And what is it with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and for oppressed men, women, and children who cry out, "Our Lord! Deliver us from this land of oppressors! Appoint for us a saviour; appoint for us a helper—all by Your grace."
4:76Believers fight for the cause of Allah, whereas disbelievers fight for the cause of the Devil. So fight against Satan's ˹evil˺ forces. Indeed, Satan's schemes are ever weak.
that if the palestinians were Muslim. but they are a people living on tradition rather than the word of Allah in quran and previous scriptures. they are more alike to the jews.
Mslim are the aouther layers of bark of the tree of Allah. Mumin are the core. the hypocrite are the dirt that adderes to the bark.
How can we see the Palestine- Israel conflict from a Qur'an alone perspective
a clear question is stated and the hypocrite only speak of the nonsense of good and evil, peace and love, love each other.
What the quran ordains in a situation like the current one:
4:75And what is it with you? You do not fight in the cause of Allah and for oppressed men, women, and children who cry out, "Our Lord! Deliver us from this land of oppressors! Appoint for us a saviour; appoint for us a helper—all by Your grace."
4:76Believers fight for the cause of Allah, whereas disbelievers fight for the cause of the Devil. So fight against Satan's ˹evil˺ forces. Indeed, Satan's schemes are ever weak.
that if the palestinians were Muslim. but they are a people living on tradition rather than the word of Allah in quran and previous scriptures. they are more alike to the jews.
Mslim are the aouther layers of bark of the tree of Allah. Mumin are the core. the hypocrite are the dirt that adderes to the bark.
#3
General Issues / Questions / Re: Know Arabic before talking...
Last post by good logic - April 30, 2024, 02:16:20 AMOf course translations of Qoran will never replace the "original sent Qoran".
But each individual will have to wrestle his/her own translation from the original.
No one will understand Qoran, no matter how much Arabic they know, unless they use all the tools and knowledge available to them, then seek The Creator of Qoran for guidance and help.
The crucial part is to make the initial decision to search Qoran with honesty and sincerity . Make the effort with all your heart and mind and seek GOD Alone ,if your true conviction matches your intention to learn and submit, then that is a good point to start the journey of learning Qoran.
At the end one has to translate Qoran for themselves by themselves,to try to understand their message from Qoran.
GOD has set up His message tailored for each individual to search/study/...to find his/her message and live by it.Or leave alone, as any other motives/intentions that are "for show off/pretence/to ridicule..." will only backfire on the individual.
GOD has not put any responsibility on anyone to explain/translate Qoran for others. If they try to do any good with Qoran , it is to their own benefit or to do any bad with it will be for their own detriment.
Yes, simple and logical way is for one to try to understand their own message to save themselves. This is for their own success and benefit.
Language problems and life trials are for all of us to deal with regardless.
GOD bless you all.
Peace.
But each individual will have to wrestle his/her own translation from the original.
No one will understand Qoran, no matter how much Arabic they know, unless they use all the tools and knowledge available to them, then seek The Creator of Qoran for guidance and help.
The crucial part is to make the initial decision to search Qoran with honesty and sincerity . Make the effort with all your heart and mind and seek GOD Alone ,if your true conviction matches your intention to learn and submit, then that is a good point to start the journey of learning Qoran.
At the end one has to translate Qoran for themselves by themselves,to try to understand their message from Qoran.
GOD has set up His message tailored for each individual to search/study/...to find his/her message and live by it.Or leave alone, as any other motives/intentions that are "for show off/pretence/to ridicule..." will only backfire on the individual.
GOD has not put any responsibility on anyone to explain/translate Qoran for others. If they try to do any good with Qoran , it is to their own benefit or to do any bad with it will be for their own detriment.
Yes, simple and logical way is for one to try to understand their own message to save themselves. This is for their own success and benefit.
Language problems and life trials are for all of us to deal with regardless.
GOD bless you all.
Peace.
#4
Christianity/Judaism/Others / Re: Manifestations of Spiritua...
Last post by Emre_1974tr - April 29, 2024, 09:17:23 PMSpeaking of spiritualism, let us reproduce the video we have prepared on the subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXA38GeVM6k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXA38GeVM6k
#5
Quranic Divinity / Re: The Qur'an corrects the mi...
Last post by Emre_1974tr - April 29, 2024, 08:56:05 PMQuote from: Emre_1974tr on January 12, 2024, 08:55:28 PMAs can be seen, there is no rajm (stoning), headscarf, communism, black stone, aggression/oppression, circumcision in the Qur'an, i.e. in Islam.
And there are no practices such as holy people, poverty and asceticism in the Qur'an. But these are again in the false Bible.
Islam forbids them. Holy Quran forbids these pagan beliefs and practices in the false Bible. In the same way, the holy Qur'an forbids slavery, whereas the false Bible allows slavery.
In short, it is interesting to note that today's Christians and Jews live like Muslims according to the Quran, while today's Muslims live like Christians. It is the Christians and Jews who are supposed to follow the false biblical practices such as not eating seafood, stoning, circumcision, poverty, headscarves, etc. In the Holy Qur'an, these things never exist.
#6
Questions/Comments on the Quran / Testing your Quranic Arabic
Last post by Euphoric - April 29, 2024, 06:12:37 PMKnow Arabic https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9612620.msg443711;topicseen#msg443711
Is this ayah general or specific?
أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
17:78
Knowing that will put this verse in its proper place.
Is this ayah general or specific?
أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَىٰ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ وَقُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ إِنَّ قُرْآنَ الْفَجْرِ كَانَ مَشْهُودًا
17:78
Knowing that will put this verse in its proper place.
#7
General Issues / Questions / Know Arabic before talking abo...
Last post by Euphoric - April 29, 2024, 05:07:56 PMThe Qur'an identifies itself being in Arabic:
"an Arabic Qur'an." 12:2, 20:113, 41:03, 42:07, 43:03
"an Arabic judgement" 13:37
"this is a speech in Arabic" 16:103
"Arabic tongue" 26:195, 46:12
Therefore, a translation is not Qu'ran.
From islamawakened website, in English, there are over 50 different translations only based off Hafs reading. Translations are the interpreters understanding and do not represent the Qur'an. Even Lane's Lexicon is an interpretation.
Again, these translations are not Qur'an.
Not knowing at least some Arabic results in getting primary and secondary school grammar wrong: differences between male vs female, singular vs dual vs plural, name vs description, general vs specific, literal vs figurative...
Basics such as these alone can lead people to having erroneous and bizarre conclusions. You do not have to be a native speaker or even fluent, but knowing at least B level should be the minimum requirement.
The Qur'an should be taken seriously. It is not a notes book where we can practice our intellectualism with weird ideas that are alien to the Arabic language.
"an Arabic Qur'an." 12:2, 20:113, 41:03, 42:07, 43:03
"an Arabic judgement" 13:37
"this is a speech in Arabic" 16:103
"Arabic tongue" 26:195, 46:12
Therefore, a translation is not Qu'ran.
From islamawakened website, in English, there are over 50 different translations only based off Hafs reading. Translations are the interpreters understanding and do not represent the Qur'an. Even Lane's Lexicon is an interpretation.
Again, these translations are not Qur'an.
Not knowing at least some Arabic results in getting primary and secondary school grammar wrong: differences between male vs female, singular vs dual vs plural, name vs description, general vs specific, literal vs figurative...
Basics such as these alone can lead people to having erroneous and bizarre conclusions. You do not have to be a native speaker or even fluent, but knowing at least B level should be the minimum requirement.
The Qur'an should be taken seriously. It is not a notes book where we can practice our intellectualism with weird ideas that are alien to the Arabic language.
#8
Salat & Zakat (The Contact & Purification) / Re: The quest of all people fo...
Last post by Emre_1974tr - April 29, 2024, 04:59:15 PMQuote from: Emre_1974tr on April 29, 2024, 05:05:20 AMSpeaking of narcissistic energy vampires, let's remember the subject:
https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9612021.0
And, These perverted satanic narcissists will try to hinder you and lure you into their evil with their cries. But terrible disasters await these oppressors both in this world and in the Hereafter.
#9
Questions/Comments on the Quran / Re: A debate between Islamic M...
Last post by Bajram Hoxhaj - April 29, 2024, 03:03:16 PMDr. Javad destroyed him in 23 minutes, to which he refused to respond and changed the topic introducing red herrings debating "others."
They are the most ignorant, akin to many on this website who post nonsensical thoughts without comprehension.
They are the most ignorant, akin to many on this website who post nonsensical thoughts without comprehension.
#10
Questions/Comments on the Quran / Re: A debate between Islamic M...
Last post by centi50 - April 29, 2024, 01:18:59 PMQuote from: Wakas on April 29, 2024, 10:32:10 AMI watched it a while ago. Some decent points here and there.
He was mentioned before here:
https://free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9611019.msg441456#msg441456
Salam wakaa,
In another video he said we Quran can not be understood without exterior sources like Islamic history books. In this clip @1m 27 seconds he says you can't understand the Quran on its own it's own terms
He seems confused also
God bless you