Militants and not extremists?
Via MRC
Of the three morning shows on Thursday, only CBS allowed that Israel’s targets in the ongoing violence could be called “terrorists.” ABC and NBC described “militants ” The networks all highlighted the plight of Palestinian civilians hurt or killed by Israel. But their journalists failed to wonder if Hamas was using people as human shields. Instead, Good Morning America’s Alex Marquardt highlighted, “So far, around 80 Palestinians killed, the vast majority civilians. This morning, eight members of a single family mistakenly killed.”
Translating from a woman whose house was destroyed, Marquardt quoted, “There is no reason to attack my house…There are no militants here.” On CBS This Morning, Holly Williams narrated, “The Palestinians have no protection. This home was flattened by an Israeli strike yesterday. A man and two children were rushed to the hospital.” But only CBS deviated from referring to Hamas as “militants.”
Williams allowed, “Israel says it’s targeting terrorists in Gaza, hitting command centers and rocket launchers used by Hamas.”
On Wednesday, a Hamas spokesman declared, “All Israelis have now become legitimate targets.”
Yet, for a report in the GMA 8am hour, Dan Harris stuck to the script, noting that among the Palestinian death toll were “three militants.”
NBC’s Today offered the least amount of coverage, just 35 seconds over four hours. Though brief, Craig Melvin avoided the word “militant” and “terrorist,” instead noting:
CRAIG MELVIN: Secretary of State John Kerry is working to ease the growing tension between Israel and Hamas. This is day three of the heaviest fighting in years and neither side appears ready to back down. Israel continued to carry out air strikes in Gaza early this morning. Palestinian officials say seven people were killed, including five children when a strike destroyed their home. So far, more than 750 targets have been hit this week.