The U.S. Media Ran Terrorist Lies & I’ve Lost My Faith in Them

October 17, 2023, is the day I stopped trusting the American news media.

It pains me beyond belief to write those words. I started my career as a daily newspaper reporter two decades ago. For years, I was guided by old school editors who continually pounded one specific message into my brain: Do not publish single source stories.

I’m no longer a reporter, a casualty of newsrooms layoffs that have been going on as long as I’ve been a professional. I now work in public relations and the other side has been jarring at times. But I never lost trust or faith in our news media.

Then came October 17, 2023.

There was a hospital bombing in Gaza as the conflict between Israel and Hamas worsened. In the immediate aftermath, there was only one account of what happened. And every mainstream news outlet ran with it.

Hamas said Israel had targeted the hospital on purpose with a strike that left hundreds dead, including children and babies. The scene was horrifying. It was another painful reminder of the atrocities of war, and why we should always do everything in our power to avoid conflict.

But that’s not what I’m writing about today. I’m writing about the shock of finding out the Associated Press — the previous gold standard…