A new academic study by Prof. Adiel Pinker of the Yale School of Management has found what it describes as a "deep and systematic" bias against Israel in The New York Times’ coverage of the war in Gaza.
The study, published in a scientific journal specializing in conflict and terrorism, examined 1,559 articles and news reports published by the American newspaper between Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre and June 7, 2024.
According to Pinker’s findings, the newspaper paid extensive attention to suffering among Gaza’s population while largely overlooking Israeli casualties and acts of Palestinian violence that occurred after the outbreak of the war.
"Based on a dataset of 1,559 news articles, I document a narrative that illustrates framing that places almost exclusive responsibility on Israel, while minimizing Hamas’ role in perpetuating the conflict," Pinker wrote.
He said the coverage described Hamas’ October 7 attack and then focused on Israeli military operations and the rising number of Palestinian casualties, while "almost completely" omitting Israeli casualties after October 7, casualties among Hamas terrorists, and Palestinian violence that occurred afterward.
Pinker argues that the newspaper’s coverage contributed to a narrative in which Israel was portrayed as the "sole aggressor" in the conflict, while Palestinians were depicted as "passive victims."
The New York Times rejected the study’s findings.
"We have covered this war with greater accuracy and rigor than almost any other US news organization, reporting on the conflict from all angles," the newspaper said.