Home / War and Conflict / Journalist Faces Death Threats Over Polymarket Wager Report
Journalist Faces Death Threats Over Polymarket Wager Report
17 Mar
Summary
- Reporter received threats after covering a missile strike near Jerusalem.
- Gamblers on Polymarket wagered millions on Iran's strike events.
- Threats escalated to personal details and death threats.
A journalist covering Iranian missile strikes for The Times of Israel became the target of intense threats after his report impacted multi-million dollar wagers on the Polymarket platform. The news brief detailed a missile hitting a forested area near Beit Shemesh, an event crucial to bets on Iran striking Israel on March 10.
Nearly $14 million was bet on whether Iranian munitions would successfully hit Israel, with specific rules excluding intercepted missiles. The journalist's accurate reporting contradicted the outcome desired by some bettors who sought to pressure him into changing his narrative.
Initial messages requesting a narrative change escalated to severe threats, including personal details and death wishes, after the journalist stood by his reporting. He has since filed a police report, with authorities deeming the threats credible.
Polymarket has condemned the harassment, stating that such actions violate their terms of service and undermine the integrity of prediction markets and independent journalism.
