Journalists Syndicate Urges Boycott of MBC Group Over Coverage

Ramallah: The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has issued a call for a boycott against the MBC Group, urging media professionals and the public to avoid engagement with the network. This move comes in response to the group's portrayal of the ongoing conflict involving the Palestinian people, which the Syndicate claims aligns with narratives supporting the occupation and undermines Palestinian national symbols and rights. According to Maan News Agency, the Syndicate's review of MBC General Channel's programming highlighted episode 74 of "MBC in a Week," which aired a report titled "The Millennium of Deliverance from Terrorists... The Figures Who Terrorized the World and Shed Blood." This broadcast reportedly classified Palestinian resistance leaders and symbols as terrorists, a characterization that the Syndicate deems a betrayal of the Palestinian people and their ongoing struggles. The Syndicate argues that such reports justify the actions of the occupation and encourage violence against Palestinians, alig ning with what it describes as a colonial media effort. The call to action includes urging media colleagues within the MBC Group to oppose the channel's policies, potentially through strikes and work disruptions. Furthermore, the Syndicate has appealed to Saudi Arabian authorities to intervene, advocating for the channel to realign its focus toward supporting Arab issues, particularly the Palestinian cause and the people's rights against occupation. In addition, the Syndicate has cautioned other Arab media outlets against infringing on Palestinian rights and promoting narratives against their resistance efforts. The statement also calls for legal action by the Palestinian Attorney General against MBC Group in Palestine, accusing the channel of insulting Palestinian symbols and questioning the legitimacy of their right to resist occupation.