In a shocking turn of events, CNN is facing severe criticism from its own staff over allegations of biased editorial policies favoring Israel and suppressing the voices of Palestinians in its coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Multiple CNN journalists based in the US and overseas have come forward, revealing a systematic skewing of broadcasts and a censorship of Palestinian perspectives.

According to CNN insiders, news decisions at the network are heavily influenced by directives from the headquarters in Atlanta, which impose strict guidelines on coverage. These directives include limited quoting of Hamas and other Palestinian sources, while readily accepting and broadcasting statements from the Israeli government. Additionally, every story related to the conflict must be cleared by the Jerusalem bureau before being aired or published.

Mark Thompson, the new editor-in-chief and CEO of CNN, who assumed the position just two days after the 7th October Hamas attack, has been accused of setting the tone for the biased coverage. Having previously faced criticism for bowing to Israeli government pressure during his tenure as the director general of the BBC, concerns have been raised about his ability to withstand external influence on CNN's reporting.

CNN staff members have expressed their discontent, claiming that the network's coverage of the Israel-Gaza war amounts to "journalistic malpractice." They argue that the focus has been predominantly on Israeli suffering, portraying the war as a hunt for Hamas and its tunnels, while downplaying the devastating impact on Palestinian civilians and the significant destruction in Gaza.

Journalists within CNN have cited a "schism" in the network, with some calling for more content from Gaza to be aired. However, many reports are allegedly altered during the approval process, leading to an absolution of Israel and undermining the gravity of Palestinian casualties and Israeli attacks.

The allegations extend beyond the editors' desks to the triad of three CNN departments overseeing coverage - news standards and practices, legal, and fact-checking. David Lindsay, the senior director of news standards and practices, has reportedly instructed staff to bar the reporting of most Hamas statements, labeling them as "inflammatory rhetoric and propaganda." This raises concerns about impartiality, as inflammatory rhetoric and propaganda from Israeli officials and their supporters have been aired without challenge.

CNN's policy of requiring all copy on the Israel-Palestine situation to be approved by the Jerusalem bureau has also come under scrutiny. While aimed at maintaining standards, critics argue that it has become a tool for self-censorship, limiting the inclusion of Palestinian perspectives and eroding the network's journalistic integrity.

Furthermore, CNN's coverage has been accused of downplaying or ignoring Palestinian casualties and relying on Israeli claims without independent verification. The network has been accused of acting as a surrogate censor on behalf of the Israeli government, prompting concerns that vital reporting of the conflict is being suppressed.

Critics have pointed out that CNN's reporting on the Israel-Gaza war starkly contrasts with its coverage of other conflicts, raising questions about double standards and a lack of balanced reporting. The restrictions imposed on journalists reporting from Gaza by the Israeli government, combined with embedded reporting with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), have limited the network's ability to provide a comprehensive and impartial picture of the situation.

CNN's reputation, built on its coverage of conflicts such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is now in jeopardy as accusations of biased coverage threaten to tarnish its image. Whether these allegations will result in significant changes to CNN's approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict remains to be seen.