Khaberni - A recent photo of Channel 14 Israeli anchor, Maggie Tabibi, holding an "M16" weapon inside the channel's headquarters has sparked widespread controversy on social media.
The image, published by journalists Yinon Magal and Tamir Morag, shows Tabibi inside what appears to be a fortified room, a scene described by commentators and journalists as a clear exposure of contradictions in professional and ethical media standards.
Double Standards
Palestinian commentators and journalists have pointed out that the image clearly shows glaring double standards between Israeli and Palestinian media.
They explained that while the Palestinian journalist is targeted and killed under the pretext of "political affiliation" for merely carrying a camera and conveying the truth, an Israeli anchor is allowed to work under arms and military protection inside the channel's headquarters, with no accountability or condemnation.
They affirmed that this scene is not just an individual case, but it reflects a fundamental difference in the professional and ethical values applied to the media.
One of the Palestinian journalists said: "We, as Palestinian journalists, are targeted and killed just because we carry a camera and convey the truth. In contrast, Maggie Tabibi is shown holding a weapon inside a fortified room, with no questions raised about impartiality or professionalism."
The Contradiction in Defining Press Freedom
Commentators pointed out that allowing Israeli media to operate under arms, while criminalizing the Palestinian journalist for the same reason, is no coincidence, but reflects a stark double standard in defining journalism and freedom of expression.
They added that the image clearly shows that what is considered a threat or violation of press freedom for Palestinians is overlooked when it comes to Israeli media, putting the Palestinian journalist in a perilous situation.
Others asked: "What if a Palestinian journalist posted a picture of himself holding a weapon or standing next to a military leader? Would this be considered in the context of journalistic work, or would it be an excuse for criminalizing and killing him?"
Commentators concluded by emphasizing that this revealing scene exposes a significant gap in media and ethical treatment standards, raising questions about the international community's ability to protect Palestinian journalists and ensure their rights, compared to dealing with Israeli media under completely different standards.
This image emerges in the context of the ongoing Israeli occupation's targeting of Palestinian journalists, where more than 254 journalists have been martyred since October 7, 2023, an unprecedented toll, according to data from the Government Media Office and the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate.
