A Reuters obituary about the Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, initially headlined "Tough-talking Haniyeh was seen as the more moderate face of Hamas," faced immediate criticism on social media for its description of the Hamas leader as a "moderate." The headline was later changed amidst accusations of bias.
In a surprising move, Reuters quietly changed a headline that described Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as a "moderate" after he was assassinated in an airstrike on Wednesday. The original headline sparked immediate outrage on social media, with users criticizing the outlet for its portrayal of the terror group's leader.
Haniyeh, a founder of Hamas, was killed while visiting Tehran, Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced. Israel was immediately blamed for the assassination after pledging to kill Hamas leaders over the terrorist group's Oct. 7 massacre, but nobody has claimed responsibility for his death.
Reuters Quietly Alters Headline Describing Assassinated Hamas Leader as 'Moderate' After Backlash
The Reuters obituary for Haniyeh initially claimed that he was seen as "the more moderate face of Hamas" by "many" unnamed diplomats. However, this assessment was met with widespread mockery and criticism, given Haniyeh's long history of radical rhetoric and his central role in failed cease-fire negotiations and hostage deals on behalf of Hamas.
After facing intense backlash, Reuters altered the headline to read, "Who was Ismail Haniyeh and why is his assassination a blow to Hamas?" The story still asserts that Haniyeh was seen as "relatively pragmatic" compared to other Hamas leaders, but acknowledges the controversy surrounding his legacy.
Reuters Quietly Alters Headline Describing Assassinated Hamas Leader as 'Moderate' After Backlash
A Reuters spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the outlet "often refines headlines as a story develops, for reasons including clarity and to reflect additional reporting." However, the initial headline's inaccurate portrayal of Haniyeh as a "moderate" has raised questions about Reuters' editorial standards.
Media watchdog Honest Reporting compiled a list of Haniyeh's "most moderate moments the media chose to omit," including footage of him rejoicing over the October 7 attack on Israel and pledging to lead "Intifada after Intifada until we liberate Palestine."
Reuters Quietly Alters Headline Describing Assassinated Hamas Leader as 'Moderate' After Backlash
The controversy surrounding Reuters' headline highlights the ongoing debate about media bias in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that outlets such as Reuters often whitewash the actions of Palestinian terrorist groups and downplay their culpability in violence.
The assassination of Haniyeh has further escalated tensions between Israel and Iran, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowing "revenge." The assassination also underscores the ongoing threat posed by Hamas and the challenges faced by Israel in securing its borders.
Reuters Quietly Alters Headline Describing Assassinated Hamas Leader as 'Moderate' After Backlash
