The New York Times Backs Gaza Freelancer Amid Controversy
The New York Times has publicly supported a Gaza-based freelancer, previously criticized for controversial social media posts, emphasizing his adherence to high journalistic standards.
Quick Facts
- Freelancer in Focus: Soliman Hijjy, a Palestinian videographer, was rehired by The New York Times for its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Previous Controversies: In past social media posts, Hijjy had praised Adolf Hitler and referred to Hamas’ actions as “the resistance.”
- NYT’s Stance: The Times has reviewed Hijjy’s posts and believes he has since adhered to their journalistic standards, delivering impartial work during the ongoing conflict.
The New York Times has found itself at the center of a media storm after rehiring Gaza journalist Soliman Hijjy. Hijjy had previously been spotlighted by the pro-Israel media watchdog, HonestReporting, for certain social media posts. In one such post from 2012, Hijjy expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. In another, he referred to Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel as “the resistance.”
Despite these controversies, The New York Times has chosen to stand by Hijjy. They have stated that upon becoming aware of the problematic posts in 2022, they took several measures to ensure Hijjy understood their concerns. If he wished to continue freelance work for the publication, he would need to strictly adhere to their standards. According to a spokesperson for The Times, Hijjy has since maintained high journalistic standards, providing valuable and unbiased coverage from Gaza amidst the conflict.
However, this decision has not been without its critics. Some have questioned how Hijjy can provide impartial coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict given his past remarks. Others, including the Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, have expressed strong disapproval of The Times’ decision to rehire Hijjy.
| For Further Reading | Hamas: Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has been the de facto governing authority of the Gaza Strip since its takeover in 2007. Founded in 1987, it has been labeled as a terrorist organization by several countries and international organizations, including Israel, the U.S., and the EU. Its charter, penned in 1988, called for the replacement of Israel with a Palestinian Islamic state. However, in 2017, Hamas issued a new document accepting the 1967 borders but not recognizing Israel. [Wikipedia] |
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Q&A
Why was Soliman Hijjy’s rehiring controversial?
Hijjy had previously made social media posts praising Adolf Hitler and referring to Hamas’ actions as “the resistance,” which drew criticism and raised questions about his impartiality as a journalist.
What has been The New York Times’ response to the controversy?
The Times has publicly supported Hijjy, stating that they reviewed his past posts and believe he has since adhered to their journalistic standards, delivering impartial work during the ongoing conflict.
Have there been any notable criticisms of The Times’ decision?
Yes, including from the Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, who expressed strong disapproval of The Times’ decision to rehire Hijjy.