Ambassador Naor Gilon takes issue with ‘The Hindu’ for Hamas interview

In the vast arena of journalism, The Hindu has once again found itself in the spotlight, but not for the right reasons. For anyone who has ever recommended this newspaper as a reliable source for competitive exams or a better understanding of news, it might be time to think twice. The self-proclaimed English bigwig from India has recently drawn criticism for its contentious actions.

This time around, the newspaper decided to provide a platform for Mousa Abu Marzouk, an official of the Palestinian organization HAMAS. It conducted an interview with him, and this audacious move did not go unnoticed.

Israeli Ambassador to India, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, Naor Gilon, expressed his strong disapproval of The Hindu’s decision to interview Mousa Abu Marzouk. In an open letter addressed to the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Suresh Nambath, Gilon did not mince words. He found the choice of interviewee “sickening” and was deeply disappointed with the publication.

My letter to the Editor-in-Chief of @the_hindu expressing my dismay for giving a platform to a #HamasISIS arch-terrorist. This is a shameful interview. pic.twitter.com/yF82UGwZxL

— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) October 31, 2023

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The interview in question was published in Frontline, The Hindu’s fortnightly English magazine, on October 27. Gilon was not alone in his criticism; he pointed out that The Hindu’s stance aligned with several other Indian leftist media outlets and political parties, including the Congress. They have consistently tried to garner sympathy for HAMAS while demonizing Israel, especially since HAMAS launched a violent attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of numerous innocent Israeli civilians, including infants and the elderly.

The Hindu’s choice to give a platform to Mousa Abu Marzouk, whom Gilon labeled as a known extremist, has raised eyebrows globally. This is not the first time that The Hindu has found itself at the center of controversy with its reporting.

Just a few months ago, former editor of The Hindu, Malini Parthasarthy, publicly criticized the newspaper’s editorial choices. She dissected The Hindu’s contemptuous tone towards a breakaway group of NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) legislators, describing their actions as a mere “smoke and mirrors game.” Parthasarthy questioned the newspaper’s use of the term “playbook” in relation to the BJP, suggesting that playbooks are not exclusive to one political party. It appears that The Hindu may have lost its fair and neutral commentary compass.

Also read: Israel Halts UN Visa Issuance Amid Guterres Controversy

Parthasarthy emphasized the urgent need for Indian journalism to commit to producing narratives that are honest, bias-free, and open-ended in forming conclusions. She passionately called for honesty and integrity in journalism, resonating with every reader who has ever questioned the media’s motives. The truth should always shine through the clouded ink.

In a world where information is at our fingertips, the role of journalism in providing accurate, unbiased, and transparent coverage is more critical than ever. The responsibility falls on media outlets like The Hindu to uphold the highest standards of journalism. When newspapers stray from this path, they not only jeopardize their own credibility but also erode the trust that readers place in them.

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