FROM PASSIVE VOICE TO ACTIVE VOICE

On March 11th CBC online had this article:
 
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/03/11/mideast-israel-gaza-bbc-son-rocket.html
 
                  Baby killed in Gaza likely died of Palestinian rocket, UN says

 
This is the first line of the article:

         A United Nations report indicates an errant Palestinian rocket, not an Israeli airstrike, likely killed the baby of a BBC reporter during fighting in the Hamas-ruled territory  last  November.

 
Although CBC is very careful to avoid the active voice when writing about Palestinians killed or wounded by Israelis, it seems quite comfortable using the active voice when the Palestinians are to blame.

Of course it is a tragedy when a baby is killed, but this article should be seen in its context.

- In recent years Israel has killed hundreds of Palestinian children. In just the last few months the Israelis have killed many unarmed youths, including some children, but this never rates a CBC headline, or much mention, or if alluded to, the use of the active voice.

- Also CBC sees fit to publish this article which casts a negative light on Palestinians, but has chosen to ignore the UN Report of a week ago that found massive amounts of Palestinian child abuse (including torture and death) being carried out by Israel. There is no way this can be seen as balanced reporting.

 

Also note in the above sentence the phrase "Hamas-ruled territory" to mean Gaza. CBC frequently uses this convoluted phrase, rather than just saying "Gaza". No doubt they prefer it because it has a negative feeling, or a terriorist nuance. But if they are really interested in convoluted names instead of "Gaza", why do they never call it "Israel-blockaded territory", or "vestigial remnant of Palestinian territory"?