FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting), an American media watch group, claims that the mainstream press in the US has not only failed to cover "increasing anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish sentiment in many places around the globe," but has also been complacent in allowing "anti-Jewish outbursts" from many of its commentators.
The FAIR report cites various anti-Semitic comments from nationally-syndicated radio and television commentators and their guests. These included Don Imus of MSNBC, who called the book publishers Simon & Schuster "thieving Jews" on his popular radio show; Bill O'Reilly of Fox News, who told a Jewish caller to his radio show to "go to Israel" if he was upset about "Christmas going into the schools;" and Bill Donohue, Catholic League president and guest on MSNBC's Scarborough Country, who claimed that "Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular."
The recent resurgence in anti-Semitic comments by mainstream commentators and guests is attributed to "an aggressive form of religious nationalism" that has gained momentum since the re-election of George Bush last November. This religious nationalist movement, according to FAIR, is seeking out a scapegoat to serve a powerful conservative mandate.
Sandy Hager
FAIR: The Mainstreaming of Anti-Semitism
The Dominion is a monthly paper published by an incipient network of independent journalists in Canada. It aims to provide accurate, critical coverage that is accountable to its readers and the subjects it tackles. Taking its name from Canada's official status as both a colony and a colonial force, the Dominion examines politics, culture and daily life with a view to understanding the exercise of power.