How media covers the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is a significant driver in making it so polarizing for Americans. Florida Attorney General (AG) Ashley Moody, who is leading a coalition of 14 state Attorney Generals, wrote to several major media companies warning they could have been hiring Hamas sympathizers in their coverage of the conflict, which could constitute material support for a terrorist organization.
Writing specifically to CNN, the Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and the New York Times (NYT), AG Moody and the 13 other AGs inquired to "ensure that you are following federal and state law," and that "If your outlet’s current hiring practices led you to give material support to terrorists, you must change these policies going forward. Otherwise, we must assume any future support of terrorist organizations by your stringers, correspondents, contractors, and similar employees is knowing behavior."
The letter cites several instances of six freelance reporters who worked with these outlets seemingly collaborating with Hamas or possessing knowledge of the October 7th attack in advance. Specifically, the Israeli government and the pro-Israel media watchdog Honest Reporting alleged the reporters began covering the attack unusually early in its occurrence. In particular, Hassan Esaliah, who worked with the Associated Press, was photographed with one of the attack's masterminds, Yahya Sinwar.
Additionally, the letter noted that photographs taken of Hamas parades and celebrations of the attack collected by NYT could not have been feasibly taken by someone without ties to the organization, casting further suspicion.
While the journalists and their employers denied foreknowledge, Esaliah was fired by the AP.
As a result, AG Moody reminded the news outlets of what constitutes material support for terrorist organizations and warned them to ensure employees are thoroughly vetted.
"We will continue to follow your reporting to ensure that your organizations do not violate any federal or State laws by giving material support to terrorists abroad. Now your organizations are on notice. Follow the law," the letter concluded.
Moody's letter comes hot on the heels of comments made by Representatives Mike Waltz (R-FL) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), both of whom recently warned that Hamas is "winning" the information war being fought in addition to the physical fighting.
