The JTA has two articles on the current sate of KEROOR, Chabad's rival for control of Russia's Jewish community. In typical JTA fashion, the pieces leave out the dirty tricks from Putin and Chabad that helped ensure Chabad dominance, instead focusing on the weakness of KEROOR. Not a word about Rabbi Pichas Goldschmidt's expulsion from Russia or the other Putin-lead attacks on KEROOR, which, by the way, supports democracy – Chabad does not, which is why Putin supports Chabad.
Also notable is the JTA's inability to ask questions. Why are there so few non-Chabad rabbis in the FSU? Is it because they are badly mistreated by Chabad, as is the case with Rabbi Yaakov Bleich, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine? Or is it because YU and the haredim are loathe to work in Russia?
The JTA once did a piece on Chabad dirty tricks in the FSU. That reporter, perhaps the only reporter in the JTA with any talent or real world experience – was quickly marginalized because, it seems, JTA affiliated newspapers got too many complaints from Chabad rabbis and their wealthy supporters.
The JTA wants to be the news service of the entire Jewish people. To do so, it must learn how to cover stories, and how to stand up to community leaders. Of course, it will do neither.