Overview

• On July 29, The New York Times added an editor’s note to its Gaza malnutrition story to reveal that Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq had pre-existing health problems.
• The emaciated toddler’s image ran on front pages worldwide as evidence of mass starvation and was used by outlets including CNN, Sky News and The Guardian.
• Medical records and family statements show the 18-month-old has cerebral palsy, hypoxemia and a genetic disorder that require specialized nutrition and physical therapy.
• Investigations by David Collier and HonestReporting uncovered wider photographs showing Mohammed’s healthy 3-year-old brother, which were cropped out of the viral frame.
• Critics argue that the late-arriving correction will reach far fewer readers than the original coverage and fail to counter the initial narrative of siege-induced starvation.