Following revelations of his relations to Hamas that were exposed by press regulator HonestReporting, CNN announced on Wednesday that it would no longer employ Abdel Qader Sabbah’s services.
HonestReporting’s inspection uncovered that Sabbah had photographed himself with a top Hamas head, participated in a Hamas-run system, praised extremists, and shared anti-Israeli advertising online. This raised major concerns about CNN’s screening procedures and literary standards, particularly given Sabbah’s important contributions to CNN’s protection during the Israel-Hamas discord.
Our own editors have been prohibited from entering Gaza independently during the past nine months because of this independent journalist’s reporting, a CNN director told HonestReporting. We have thoroughly examined this content and are confident that it upholds our requirements. Nonetheless, we were not aware of this individual’s traditional cultural posts and understand that they are very unpleasant. In light of this, we will no longer been using his substance going forth”.
A review of Sabbah’s social media activity revealed strong ties to Hamas and a distinct bias against Israel. Key results include:
– **Connections to Hamas Figures **: In 2018, Sabbah shared a selfie with senior Hamas figure Mahmoud A-Zahar, who had been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department for his calls for non-Zionists-based world dominance. Sabbah captioned the image:” This night, with chief Abu Khaled Al-Zahar, writing instructor…”
– **Service in Hamas-Run Bodies **: Sabbah’s Twitter profile mentions “military company” in 2013. He posted a picture of himself in uniform with the” General Training Directorate”, an object under the Palestinian Authority’s officers and Interior Ministry, but successfully controlled by Hamas in Gaza. In March 2023, Sabbah boasted about making a promotional videos for this directorate’s club, which trains Hamas security officers.
– **Praise for Terrorists **: In 2014, Sabbah praised Hamas suicide bomber Izz A-Din Al-Masri, who killed 16 people, including children, in a 2001 Jerusalem restaurant bombing. When Israel gave Al-Masri’s figure to the Arab Authority thirteen years afterwards, Sabbath referred to him as a “hero.”
– **Sharing Propaganda and Censorship Instructions **: Sabbah often shared Hamas advertising and media censorship guidelines. He shared recommendations for the 2021 fight with Israel that forbid the filming of fighter jobs or rocket launch sites. In April 2023, he posted a propaganda videos by Hamas ‘ military aircraft titled” Available” with brain symbols.
Sabbah is the 11th blogger reassigned, suspended, or fired according to HonestReporting’s studies since August 2022. The controversy surrounding Sabbah’s relations to Hamas has cast a long dark over CNN’s screening methods and journalistic norms.
The national court’s decision was opposed by the White House and the Department of Energy, in remarks released. A White House spokeswoman expressed disappointment with the order, emphasizing the government’s dedication to informed decisions based on sound knowledge. A Department of Energy director also expressed disapproval of the decision and said the agency may continue to review the court order and consider its upcoming actions.
The decision was praised by the pause’s critics. In response to the Biden administration’s climate plan, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey praised it as a major victory for the electricity market and the millions of jobs it supports.
The Energy Department of this administration lacks the power to support this ban; authority to do so lies with Congress and Congress alone, Morrisey claimed.
CNN has cut relations with the consultant in response to the discoveries about Abdel Qader Sabbah’s connections to Hamas, underscoring the crucial role of thorough screening in journalism. As CNN expands, the system will need to make sure that all contributors adhere to its standards of fairness and integrity, particularly in conflict zones where reporting can be drastically affected by propaganda and partiality.
