The technique is proven and effective. Put a moving, highly effective, propagandistic photo on the front page (or cover) of your story. Cause a moral outrage in the public. Then, several days (or even weeks) later, print a retraction somewhere in the middle of your publication where few will find it: "We regret publishing a picture with a misleading caption." It works like a charm!

Over 25 years ago, I documented instances of this technique when it came to reports on Israel. The media would feature the tragic picture of a Palestinian baby, almost torn apart, the alleged victim of an Israel airstrike. Those monstrous Israelis! Those murderous fiends! Public opinion would be turned sharply against this tiny nation fighting for its life in the midst of hostile enemies.

Some time later, buried, say, on p. 14a of The New York Times (which originally featured the picture), you'd find a short statement. And, of course, there would be no picture to capture your attention. Just a short note saying something like, "Our previous report was not accurate. The baby was killed in Palestinian crossfire and was not the victim of Israeli fire."

In one instance, there was a story about a suicide bomber who lost his life trying to slaughter Israelis. The newspaper in question showed the weeping mother of the bomber, rather than the wounded victims or their weeping families, mourning his death. Talk about trying to put sympathies in the wrong place.

Now, this week, we have two glaring incidents of what appears to be media deception. (Or, at the least, glaring examples of the media wrongly presenting unvetted, grossly misleading information.)

The first came to light Thursday, when it was reported that, "Hamas Paid Family To Say IDF Killed 8-Month-Old Baby With Tear Gas. read more