Vox Media's big lie
New York Magazine leveled the false 'genocide' accusation, ignoring basic journalistic standards.
It’s a central tenet of journalism: When a person or entity is accused of a crime or any horrible act, you emphasize that it’s an accusation or allegation, and provide a response. If someone accuses you, or your business, of violating a law, the report must make clear that it’s an unproven allegation, and what you say about it.
It’s the case whether the person making the claim is an individual or an organization. For example, if someone is given commentary space in a news outlet to make an allegation, the outlet remains responsible for following these rules.
But, as always, the news has a sweeping exception for the tiny Jewish state. News agencies ignore basic rules in order to present Israel in the worst possible light. This is the case for all kinds of lies, including “occupation,” “terrorism,” and “international law.”
That brings us to New York Magazine, part of the Vox Media empire. As I explain in the latest episode, the company made one of the most incendiary false accusations possible. (This episode also addresses Epstein coverage; hence the title.)
The big lie
In a recent Facebook post, the company falsely accused Israel of genocide. There was no attribution; no response; no suggestion that it’s an accusation that has been refuted. (I replied to the post, but mysteriously am now both unable to open the post from within my own Facebook account, and unable to see my reply. Hmmm…)
This isn’t journalism. It’s how propaganda works. First, note that the stand-alone paragraph presents the “genocide” lie as coming from New York Magazine itself. And even if it hadn’t, the problem would remain. No matter who makes such an accusation, any legitimate news agency follows the rules. This is why you sometimes see editor’s notes inside op-eds that include responses or descriptions of how the agency sought a response.
The piece itself is based entirely on lies and antisemitism, including the kind pushed by many “As-a Jews”. While it’s written by the individual mentioned in the Facebook post, Andrew Ridker, the news agency still has responsibility. If Ridker accused you, your family, your church, or your city of carrying out a “genocide,” and New York Magazine handled it this same way, you’d have a strong argument that it’s libel. (Learn more about libel and related offenses in this episode.)
Vox Media is big. A website that tracks these things says it now has a valuation of $1.2 billion based on recent fundraising. Other reports from previous years offer lower figures, but still in the hundreds of millions.
I have reached out to Jim Bankoff, CEO of Vox Media, seeking a response. Penske Media is its largest shareholder, so I’ve reached out to Chairman and CEO Jay Penske as well.
On its website, Vox Media claims it “makes every effort for content to be completely accurate upon publication.” This is patently false. It clearly does not engage in the most basic journalistic efforts. (Note that no response is needed from Vox to me saying that, because it’s an incontrovertible fact.)
Also in this episode, the media’s disastrous coverage of the recent Islamist terrorist attacks in India and Pakistan.
On a much happier note, I have a special Thanksgiving message coming for you this week! Thanks to sponsors, get a FREE Jewish-themed Thanksgiving guide here and sign up to learn about awesome heroes, also for free, here.
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