Journalist Adam Johnson argues in his new book, How to Sell a Genocide: The Media’s Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza, that major news outlets such as The New York Times and CNN played a pivotal role in legitimizing Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Johnson contends that while outlets frequently used terms like “massacre” and “barbaric” to describe the initial Hamas assault, they avoided similar language when reporting on Israeli military operations that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians. This disparity in framing, he asserts, contributed to a skewed public perception of the conflict.
Johnson also challenges the narrative that President Joe Biden was powerless to restrain Israel, arguing that the mainstream media misrepresented the U.S. administration’s influence over the situation. He further claims that the media’s coverage contributed to a shift in public opinion among liberal Americans, who typically prioritize human rights but became less concerned about the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians.
The book and its arguments are presented in a recent episode of Right Now With Perry Bacon, which is available to watch on YouTube or Substack. A full transcript of the episode is accessible for readers.
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