BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES
Widespread news and social media bias – combined with conspiracy theories and false narratives – continues to distort public perceptions of the war Hamas launched against Israel. Some high-profile news media coverage is becoming even more concerning – and damaging. Unbalanced reports undermine the public’s understanding – focusing on Israeli counter-terrorism actions while too often ignoring the role of Hamas as the aggressor. The social media echo chamber and even respected news sources often downplay the human cost of Hamas actions – including the ongoing hostage crisis. In an era of rampant misinformation and disinformation, distorted reporting too often amplifies anti-Israel sentiment, perpetuates harmful narratives and makes fact-based discussions challenging.
60 Minutes Report: Missed Opportunity for Balanced Journalism
A recent 60 Minutes TV story – The Gaza Policy – focused heavily on Israel’s counter-terrorism operations in Gaza while ignoring the role of Hamas as the aggressor in the conflict. The report failed to address Hamas use of civilian areas for military purposes and its ongoing abuse of Palestinians and attacks against Israelis. There was little mention of the hostages that continue to be held under brutal conditions for more than 15 months. Two-year-old Kfir Bibas has been held in captivity for the majority of his life without a single word from his captors about his condition as a “prisoner.”
60 Minutes has long been considered a “gold standard” of journalism – it is currently airing its 57th season and reaches more than 10 million viewers. The recent broadcast included interviews with former U.S. State Dept. officials critical of American support for Israel but without properly including opposing viewpoints. Their opinions were presented as news. The officials alleged that the U.S. was directly responsible for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza – rather than Hamas.
One of the former State Dept. officials resigned in protest only 10 days after the 10/7 atrocities and told a 60 Minutes producer that Israel should have pursued a peace deal immediately after the Hamas assault, rather than holding the terrorists accountable. He then joined an organization that supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement against Israel’s existence and opposed the Abraham Accords peace agreements between Israel and Islamic nations.
Another official served as a speaker at Council on American-Islamic Relations events. She has falsely accused Israel of committing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. CAIR was declared an unindicted co-conspirator by the U.S. Justice Dept. in a major 2008 Hamas terrorism financing case.
Criticism of Anti-Israel Media Bias: ‘Media needs to do better’
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, was highly critical of the news media’s coverage of Hamas and Israel in an interview before the 60 Minutes story aired – and warned about the impact of this war on future U.S. policymakers: “America has been fed a media coverage of this war” that Hamas has effectively controlled. “The American media uses language like, ‘the Palestinian Health Authority [Hamas] reports and the IDF claims.’ I think ‘claims’ is a little bit arch for a trusted ally. You could say they ‘say.’”
Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the U.S. Military Academy, John Spencer, condemned the “misinformation and vilification” of the Israeli military by 60 Minutes and its use of data from a non-governmental organization that uses “unaccepted methods to determine casualty estimates.” The NGO admits that it assumes all deaths in Gaza are civilians – unless there is evidence confirming they are militants. CBS News also relied on data from a prestigious British medical journal long-known for its repeated anti-Israel bias. A recently debunked Lancet article reported more civilian deaths than even Hamas reported.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: “I’m outraged that CBS News’ 60 Minutes would air such a biased and one-sided piece, villainizing Israel and berating U.S. support for its ally. Where are the counter perspectives to those interviewed? Where is the mention of the nearly 100 hostages – including Americans – STILL in captivity!? What kind of journalism is that? Major media outlets all need to do better.”
Hamas Continues its Campaign of Destruction
Iran-backed terror group Hamas is perpetuating the conflict and exacerbating suffering for Palestinians and Israelis. Hamas is reportedly, recruiting new militants and rebuilding under the brother of deceased terror leader Yahya Sinwar. The terror group is still firing rockets at Israeli civilians and killed a number of Israeli soldiers in recent weeks.
Hamas continues to use Palestinian hospitals, humanitarian zones and civilian homes to shelter its terrorists. Israel was condemned in late December for taking action against a Hamas command and control center in a Palestinian hospital and arresting its director – a doctor suspected of being a Hamas terrorist. An elite Hamas fighter – who doubled as a hospital janitor – revealed to Israeli authorities: “From the hospital, the grenades and mortars were given out, to attack the tanks, for ambushes and for tunnels because terrorists think the hospital is a safe shelter.”
U.S. Ambassador Lew: “The media that is presenting a pro-Hamas perspective is sent out instantaneously telling a story. It tells a story that is, over time, shown not to be completely accurate.”
Contact Information
60 Minutes
Email: 60m@cbsnews.com
Phone: (212) 975-3247 (CBS Audience Services)
Mailing Address: 60 Minutes | 524 West 57th St. | New York, NY 10019
Guidelines
Suggested Language
Subject: Concern Over Biased Reporting on 60 Minutes
Dear Bill Owens and Susan Zirinsky,
I am writing to express my concern about the recent 60 Minutes report on Gaza and Israel. The segment presented a one-sided narrative that heavily criticized Israel’s counter-terrorism actions while failing to address Hamas aggression – including its attacks on Israeli civilians, the deliberate placing of fighters in civilian areas and its ongoing abuse of Palestinians.
The report omitted critical context about the nearly 100 hostages still in Hamas captivity – including American citizens – and failed to provide a balanced perspective by excluding voices that could speak to Israel’s security challenges and Hamas terrorist actions. This lack of balance does not meet the journalistic standards viewers expect from 60 Minutes, a program long regarded as the gold standard for in-depth, accurate and balanced reporting.
I urge CBS News to ensure future coverage of this complex conflict includes multiple perspectives and acknowledges the full context of events, rather than relying on selective narratives that amplify misinformation. Fair and accurate reporting is essential for constructive dialogue. I expect more from CBS News and particularly from 60 Minutes.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
At the time of this publication, Israel and Hamas reportedly are close to agreeing to an exchange of dozens of Israeli hostages – dead and alive – for hundreds of imprisoned Palestinian terrorists – including convicted murderers – and a ceasefire agreement.
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