Darine Houmani - Montreal

“Labeling genocide as the “Israel-Hamas war” falsely portrays that both Palestinians and Israelis are on even-playing fields. This narrative ignores that for 76 years, Palestinians have been forcibly ousted from their homes, confined to the barbed wires of the Gaza Strip, and have been under constant surveillance of Israeli settlers.

Canadian journalists who voice their moral duty to stand on the right side of history are silenced under the banner of objectivity.

It took months to clear my mind and when it did, I understood that impartiality was a concept that was used to avoid confrontation from state actors, politicians, and Israeli lobbyists. By doing so, journalists working for mainstream Canadian media had cowered into the role of stenographers, leaving Palestinians defenseless in the face of genocide. But lying low to avoid backlash only empowers the wrongdoers to continue inflicting injustices on the oppressed, the language not only minimizes the brutality of the oppressor but justifies it”.

With these phrases and others like them, journalist Arfa Rana announced the reason for her resignation from CBC, which is more than a resignation announcement, it is a loud voice against impartiality which means complicity, against silence which means ignoring… A voice that is most needed by those who are burning in the tents of the displaced in Gaza in front of the entire world, and then, those who speak about them, those who point to them, and those who defend them are reprianded.

In this interview, we get closer to journalist Arfa Rana. She explains how independent media and independent journalists in Canada are the torchbearers of truth during this critical time- a time that tests the conscience of humanity. She also sees that Canadian journalism colleges need to rethink their curricula, emphasizing the importance of teaching students of journalism the history and politics before instructing them on how to write a news article.

(*) First, we would like to get to know Arfa Rana more..

Yes, I graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University last year and joined CBC. I’m Pakistani and have also worked as an intern for Pakistan’s oldest news channel, GEO News, and CityTV’s Breakfast Television before I graduated in 2023. I’ve always had a passion for representing my people and other marginalized communities. Journalism has been my love, since I was a teenager and Alhamdulillah, I’m so grateful I’m able to do what I love.

(*) You published an article in which you talked about the reasons for your resignation, but we would like to know about what is going inside CBC leading up to your decision, as you work in one of the most important Canadian media outlets.

 I’m not the first person to talk about problems at CBC. There was another article published by the pseudonymous Molly Schumann earlier this year for The Breach. She talks about pro-Israel producers making a blacklist of Palestinian voices and editing tape of Palestinians to alter what they are saying. I won’t say much more; I am working on another story about my experience in journalism as a visible Muslim woman.

(*) During my study about how Canadian newspapers and media dealt with the Israeli war of extermination on Gaza, it was clear that CBC does not broadcast daily news of death in Gaza, but there are reports on the humanitarian situation there, I mean that there is no complete ignoring as in other Canadian media, and we know that ignoring the victim is one of the strategies followed by Canadian media that support the executioner. What can you tell me about that?

 It’s not just CBC, many mainstream news outlets have this problem where they are too deadline-driven and don’t have the interest, time or passion to seriously look at the historical context of important stories, such as the Gaza genocide. But there are a number of journalists in these broadcasting corporations that are doing their best to change the way things are. However, it will take a lot of pressure and time for things to change for the better.

(*) Is this impartiality due to the use of the stick of "anti-Semitism" against everyone who refers to the Israeli act of extermination in Gaza?

I think there is a fear that because Jews have been historically discriminated against by the West, Western nations are now supporting Israel due to their own guilt. I am not anti-Semetic. I believe the Torah closely aligns with the same beliefs as Islam, and that Judaism is a peaceful religion. But building a Holy Land on the mass graves of thousands of Palestinians goes against their own values. It is a disgrace. Injustices like that must be stopped and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

(*) In your article published after your resignation, you refer to the power of the “ language” used in the media, by saying: "The language used by CBC to describe the atrocities in Gaza has been implanted in my subconscious and has blocked my critical thinking. I have begun to believe that perhaps Israel is not at fault". Then you say, "The language used not only minimizes the brutality of the oppressor, but also justifies it". Are we here to blame the Canadian media for the fact that Canadians of non-Arab origins are completely ignorant of history and truth, which is what drives them to criticize the demonstrations against the Israeli war?

The problem is much deeper than that. Journalism is not seen as a huge responsibility in Canadian journalism schools. These journalism schools teach essays, ethics of reporting, video journalism and techniques but lack detailed courses on history and politics. I think that Canadian journalism schools should re-think their curriculum and make history and politics mandatory as a minor or offer journalism solely at a master’s level after doing an undergrad in political science, public policy or history. That way, we can ensure that those in media outlets are well-equipped to report on wars, genocides and conflicts around the world.

(*) You worked in the Canadian press, and you have a comprehensive idea of ​​the situation. How do you evaluate from your perspective the situation of the journalism in Canada?

I am disappointed by mainstream outlets and their inability to take criticism or treat their Arab and Muslim colleagues as equals. But right now, I think that independent media outlets and journalists are torchbearers of the truth.

(*) Your work was in social journalism, far from politics, but it became clear through your resignation that there is something else related to the core of your identity. Is it the identity of the journalist inside you, or your identity of Arab origin, or is it a purely human issue in relation to the Israeli war of extermination?

I am actually Pakistani and I don’t see Palestine as a Muslim nor an Arab issue. The freedom of Palestinians is a human issue. Anyone with a conscience, especially those in power, must stand with Palestinians. The U.S. and the West will continue to standby as Israel bombards four countries and kills hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. We have seen that in the past year, silence has only further empowered Israel to continue their barbaric attacks on innocent people. Enough is enough. Nobody is free until Palestinians are free.

(*) What do you think about your future today? Your decision is bold and affects your future, with independent, unsupported journalism in Canada. How do you read things?

I am grateful that Allah has granted me the ability to learn and write. I will never be part of a media outlet that whitewashes Israel’s crimes and secretly supports colonialism. I don’t regret my decision to leave CBC. I have a number of writing projects that will be published soon independently and you can follow all my updates on my X account https://www.x.com/arfadorable