Washington, DC – MSNBC recently announced the cancellation of Mehdi Hasan’s weekend TV programme, sparking outrage among Palestinian rights supporters who consider Hasan a rare critic of Israeli policies in the United States cable news landscape. The decision comes at a time when criticism against Israel is facing a crackdown in the media, universities, and the arts. With Israel currently conducting a military offensive in Gaza that has claimed the lives of over 15,000 Palestinians, concerns about human rights violations have been raised.
The cancellation of Hasan’s show during this conflict has been deemed “bad optics” for the network by left-wing Congressman Ro Khanna, who called on MSNBC to provide an explanation for their decision. The news website Semafor first reported the cancellation, stating that Hasan’s show will be replaced by extending news anchor Ayman Mohyeldin’s self-titled programme to two hours. Mohyeldin, who is Arab American, is also known for his criticism of the Israeli government. Reports suggest that Hasan will continue to work with the network as an on-screen analyst.
MSNBC President Rashida Jones explained in a note to staff that the reshuffle aims to “better position” the network as it approaches the 2024 US elections. However, critics argue that Hasan’s programme is now more crucial than ever, calling for his voice to be amplified rather than silenced. Palestinian American human rights lawyer Noura Erakat expressed her support for Hasan, stating that he has been a valuable presence on air and that his programme with Mark Regev provided important insights on journalistic methods.
Hasan is known for his persistent interviewing style, challenging guests on false claims and past statements. In his recent programme, he questioned Israeli government adviser Mark Regev about misrepresented information promoted by Israeli officials. The decision to cancel Hasan’s show has drawn criticism from journalist Sarah Kendzior, who believes that this move reflects a trend of silencing journalists who practice evidence-based journalism and dare to challenge those in power.
This is not the first time US journalists have faced repercussions for criticizing Israel. In 2018, CNN sacked Marc Lamont Hill as a contributor following a speech at a United Nations meeting in support of Palestinian rights. Hill currently hosts the programme UpFront. In 2021, The Associated Press news agency fired a young reporter over social media posts expressing support for Palestinian rights.
The cancellation of Mehdi Hasan’s show on MSNBC has sparked a larger conversation about the limitations of free speech and the chilling effect on critical journalism. Critics argue that this decision contributes to the homogenization of news content into partisan infotainment. As the Israel-Palestine conflict continues to unfold, the media landscape faces scrutiny over its handling of diverse perspectives and the impact on public discourse.
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