During the online “Overtime” segment of Friday’s broadcast of HBO’s “Real Time,” host Bill Maher took aim at the media’s handling of terrorism and propaganda, arguing that outlets are quick to circulate Hamas messaging while hesitating to label obvious acts of terrorism as such.
Maher’s comments came in response to the attempted hijacking of a flight to Israel earlier in the week, according to Breitbart News, which first reported his remarks.
A Double Standard in Coverage
“It did seem like the media is always a little reluctant to call it terrorism when it’s obviously terrorism. After a while, they do,” Maher said. He then contrasted that caution with what he described as the rapid dissemination of Hamas propaganda: “But I noticed, when the Hamas propaganda is out there, boy, that gets fast-tracked.”
Maher also mocked the initial framing of the hijacking attempt. “But this stuff, the original reporting was, the two pilots had an altercation. Yeah, they had a little argument. I think we should crash the plane, you don’t, agree to disagree,” he said, suggesting that early reports downplayed the severity of the incident.
The “Real Time” host has frequently critiqued media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and his latest remarks underscore a recurring theme: that news organizations apply a different standard when covering terrorism versus propaganda from groups like Hamas.
Context of the Flight Incident
The attempted hijacking referenced by Maher occurred earlier in the week, though specific details of the event were not elaborated upon in the segment. The incident reportedly involved two pilots and an altercation, which Maher characterized as being initially reported in a way that minimized its terrorist intent.
Breitbart News’ Ian Hanchett reported on Maher’s comments, noting that the host made them during the “Overtime” portion of the show, which streams online after the televised broadcast.
Maher’s criticism adds to a broader debate about how the media characterizes acts of terrorism, particularly when they target Israel or Jewish interests. While many outlets eventually apply the terrorism label, Maher argues that the delay creates a distorted narrative that benefits groups like Hamas.
His remarks also highlight the challenge newsrooms face in balancing accurate terminology with the risk of appearing to take sides in a politically charged conflict. The rapid spread of Hamas propaganda, by contrast, often goes unchecked or is amplified without sufficient context, according to Maher’s critique.
The segment did not include any response from media organizations or Hamas representatives. Maher’s comments were made in a comedic talk-show setting, but they reflect a serious ongoing discussion about media bias and the language used to describe politically motivated violence.
As the conflict continues to generate intense media coverage, Maher’s remarks are likely to resonate with critics who argue that the press sometimes soft-pedals terrorism while unwittingly serving as a conduit for terrorist propaganda.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/10/03/maher-media-reluctant-to-call-terrorism-terrorism-but-hamas-propaganda-is-fast-tracked/