In a recent turn of events that can only be described as "Did they really just say that?", ITV News has found itself swimming in a soup of apologies. The cause? Their decision to interview a reporter from none other than the Iranian regime channel, Press TV. This isn't where the story takes a juicy turn. The reporter in question, one Latifa Abouchakra, had the audacity to describe the grisly Hamas atrocities of October 7 as nothing more than a "homecoming by the Palestinian resistance." Oh, the poetic injustice of it all!

Koo App BREAKING 🚨 @itvnews platforms Iran propagandist who presents antisemitic programme Palestine Declassified. Latifa Abouchakra only last week appeared to justify the murder of Israeli civilians who she calls "settlers" and labelled the attacks "the homecoming" WATCH TO THE END #LatifaAbouchakra Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 26 Oct 2023

ITV, in a move that must've seemed like a good idea at the time, introduced Latifa Abouchakra to viewers as a "London-based Palestinian." During the interview, aired for all and sundry on Monday, Abouchakra painted herself as a victim of what she referred to as Islamophobia. She passionately recounted, “I’ve been called a terrorist, I’ve been asked to go back home, I’ve had people in their cars making threatening gestures.”

And if you're wondering what possibly could be the reason behind such encounters, Ms. Abouchakra enlightens us, claiming that “Muslims and Palestinians are inherently terrorists according to the system here, according to the narrative of the media here and according to the narrative of the politicians.”

If you thought the headlines surrounding ITV couldn't get any more farcical, you're in for a treat. The revered Board of Deputies, in a move that combines exasperation with a dash of "I told you so," has labelled ITV News' recent debacle as nothing short of a "staggering failure of due diligence." Ouch! And here one might have assumed that due diligence was, you know, integral to journalism. But what do we know?

In a letter (which we imagine might have smoke rising from it) addressed to Dame Carolyn McCall, the Chief Executive of ITV, the President of the Board, Marie van der Zyl, in her infinite wisdom, did concede that Islamophobia in the country has spiked recently. And she condemned it with the fervour that one condemns a soggy biscuit in their morning tea.

But, wait for it... she also had this little nugget to share: “ITV’s decision to invite on Ms Abouchakra was an astonishingly bad one." Well, isn't that the understatement of the year? Ms. van der Zyl kindly informed ITV that had they invested a mere 20 seconds on a basic internet search, they would have unearthed that Ms. Abouchakra isn't just anyone. She's a reporter for 'Palestine Declassified', brought to us by the renowned Press TV, which, wait for the drumroll... is the shining beacon of the Iranian Ayatollahs' regime!

One can almost imagine the scene at ITV right now - frantic Googling, facepalms, and perhaps, a renewed subscription to basic internet search techniques. Because in this age of the internet, isn't it charming to think that some still believe in the age-old adage, "Ignorance is bliss"? On to the next episode of 'How Not to Do Journalism 101'.

ITV's recent interviewee, Abouchakra, graced viewers of Press TV with a narrative that can only be described as theatrically lopsided. Remember, this is the same network that ITV seemingly 'overlooked' during their fact-checking process.

In her riveting performance on the day Hamas resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 civilians, Abouchakra painted a picturesque tale of valiance and bravery. She said, “As fragile as a spider’s web, the Zionist entity is shaking with fear; in an early morning shock, Palestinian resistance factions from Gaza launched an unprecedented three-pronged attack on the entity...what ensued was the homecoming of at least 1,000 Palestinians from the resistance factions into the fragile Zionist entity...over 100 settlers have been taken as prisoners of war by the resistance – the vast majority are members of the Occupation Forces.”

One wonders if she missed her calling in fiction writing, given the passionate storytelling evident in her reporting.

Further supporting the 'Oops, ITV did it again' saga, van der Zyl’s letter highlights that the very clip of this biased, and dare we say, fanciful report was readily available on the YouTube channel of the Press TV programme, 'Palestine Declassified'.

One might wonder if the team at ITV enjoys these cringe-worthy revelations. Perhaps they are masochists, reveling in public embarrassment?

When you thought ITV's oversight couldn't get any juicier, cue the entrance of the starring cast behind the Press TV programme, 'Palestine Declassified'. At the helm, we have the once-revered, now discredited, former Bristol university professor, David Miller, handed the pink slip for allegations of antisemitism. His co-presenter? None other than the ex-Labour MP Chris Williamson, who gracefully exited stage left from the party amid his own antisemitism allegations. Truly, a match made in broadcasting heaven.

But the pièce de résistance was found snugly beneath the YouTube clip of our starlet, Abouchakra. A proud banner message boldly stated: “WATCH: What you need to know about the audacious #AlAqsaStorm operation by Palestinian freedom fighters.” Freedom fighters? One man's freedom fighter is another's... well, let's just say the comments section must've been quite a read.

And who could forget Abouchakra's poetic words on that fateful day of the Hamas incursion into southern Israel? She eloquently opined, “Nothing will ever be able to take back this moment. This moment of triumph, this moment of resistance, this moment of surprise, this moment of humiliation on behalf of the Zionist entity. Nothing ever.”

It’s always entertaining when media giants such as ITV trip over the very ropes they set out for others. Now, this might be news to ITV's diligent team, but Press TV lost its broadcasting license way back in 2012. Yet, much like a resilient weed in a manicured garden, the channel persists on the internet.

Van de Zyl, not mincing her words, penned a letter that could be described as the epistolary version of a slap. “This was a catastrophic breach of your channel’s journalistic standards.” she stated. One could almost envision her shaking her head in disbelief as she wrote it. And while there’s no denying the Islamophobic comments Ms Abouchakra received were uncalled for, it’s worth noting ITV's peculiar choice to represent the British Muslim community.

Van de Zyl couldn't have put it better: "I sincerely hope that your channel will be issuing a public apology for this egregiously incompetent decision, which is insulting to both British Jews and the many upstanding British Muslims who have been wrongly subjected to unjust targeting specifically because of their religion."

In what can only be termed a quintessential "Oops, we did it again" moment, ITV News’s editor, Andrew Dagnell, graced van der Zyl with a reply that was dripping with regret (or perhaps it was just the hurried panic of putting out a PR fire).

Dagnell lamented, “Please be reassured that we would not have included the contributor you refer to had we been aware of her previous comments.” One can almost imagine him going through an arduous process of facepalming. The sheer surprise in his words speaks volumes - 'Who knew background checks were crucial before airing interviews?'

But of course, in a world where media accountability often feels as elusive as a unicorn, Dagnell assures: “We recognise that better due diligence should have taken place before she was featured.” And just when you thought this was a revelation of biblical proportions, there’s more. A promise that they will “tighten up the procedures around booking interviewees.” How refreshing!

Finally, ITV recognized its solemn duty towards “accuracy and due impartiality.” A responsibility they take to heart, especially when reporting on the situation in Israel and Gaza. If only actions spoke louder than words, right?

Now, one can only wait to see if ITV's renewed commitment to journalistic integrity stands the test of time or if this is just another chapter in the grand chronicle of media misadventures. Only time will tell.

Journalism: A Fading Beacon of Truth

There was a time when journalism was hailed as the Fourth Estate, a powerful pillar that played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and ensuring that democracy functioned with accountability and transparency. News was a sacred testament to events unfolding around us, not just a casual recounting of occurrences but a deeply researched, well-analyzed, and unbiased presentation of facts. News was not just to inform; it was to empower.

The very ethos of journalism was rooted in an unyielding commitment to the truth. It existed to provide citizens with the ammunition they needed to make informed decisions. It was the bridge between events and understanding, between policies and their implications, between leaders and the led. The guiding principle of journalism was poignantly simple: "Provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments."

But somewhere along the way, as the world transitioned into the 21st century, the noble pursuit of journalism began to get mired in the quagmire of vested interests, commercial pressures, and a relentless race for ratings. The sanctity of 'news' began to blur, often intertwining with entertainment and opinion, causing a dilution of the purity that news once held. The changing dynamics brought in an era where sensationalism often trumped substance, where narratives were tailored to fit agendas, and where newsrooms transformed into boardrooms, prioritizing profitability over probity.

In the age of digital dominance, the commodification of news and the race for virality often take precedence over verification. Headlines scream louder, stories are tailored for clickbait, and the essence of truth is often sacrificed at the altar of traction. The mainstream media, instead of being the custodians of truth, sometimes become the purveyors of narratives. There is a growing inclination to side with what's popular, profitable, or propitious, leading to an ecosystem where genuine news gets overshadowed by noise.

The profound changes in journalism over the last two decades are not just technological but ideological. While the proliferation of digital platforms has democratized the dissemination of information, it has also raised questions about the credibility and motivations behind the news we consume. The line between genuine reporting and propaganda, between fact and fiction, is increasingly getting blurred.

It is high time the world of journalism indulges in profound introspection. At its core, journalism should be a relentless pursuit of the truth, devoid of biases, untouched by commercial interests, and unfazed by external pressures. It should not be a tool to set convenient narratives or pander to popular sentiment but a beacon that illuminates the world with its integrity and earnestness.

The revered journalist Walter Lippmann once remarked, "There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and to shame the devil." As we stand at this critical juncture, it's imperative for the media to revisit this maxim, to rekindle the flame of authentic journalism, and to ensure that it remains a tool of empowerment, enlightenment, and, above all, truth.

For if journalism loses its way, society, in turn, risks wandering in the darkness of misinformation, half-truths, and narratives that serve the few at the cost of the many. The responsibility is immense, and the path is challenging, but the essence of genuine journalism must be reclaimed, revived, and revered. Only then can it continue to serve its foundational purpose: to empower the informed.