Media Intimidation

Front Page Magazine ^ | 18 August 2006 | Joel Mowbray

[unionblue83]

With Fox News reporter Steve Centanni and cameraman Olaf Wiig still being held hostage by Palestinian terrorists, the Western media has received a potent reminder that broadcasting certain truths from inside Arab territory can result in devastating consequences.

While it is not clear the kidnappers’ motivation—they have yet to state any demands—this is just the latest in a string of abductions, which is in and of itself only part of the arsenal of heavy-handed media intimidation present in the region.

Thuggery helps explain the obscenely low volume of negative press coverage of the Palestinian Authority, Fatah, Hamas, Hezbollah, and others. But it doesn’t account for all, or even most, of the persistently slanted coverage.

As any veteran of Middle East media coverage knows, many Arab stringers and free-lancers—hired on the cheap by Western outlets, ostensibly because of their superior knowledge for local leaders and events—see it as their duty to demonize Israel, while exalting fellow Arabs or Muslims.

But while the widespread use of Arab locals in covering the Middle East and the frightening level of threatened and real violence are both deeply troubling, more concerning is that the Palestinian propaganda machine has enjoyed tremendous success over the years hoodwinking supposedly sophisticated Western journalists. And Hezbollah has done just that over the past month.

In short, almost nothing that is purported to happen in the Arab world can automatically be taken at face value. Not even if it’s captured in a photo.

[unionblue83]

No surprises here.

[unionblue83]

ping.

[dirtboy]

But while the widespread use of Arab locals in covering the Middle East and the frightening level of threatened and real violence are both deeply troubling, more concerning is that the Palestinian propaganda machine has enjoyed tremendous success over the years hoodwinking supposedly sophisticated Western journalists

Hoodwinking? Spoon-feeding propaganda to willing dupes is hardly hoodwinking.

[PGalt]

Great article. Thanks for posting.

[observer5]

All the arabs are savages...

[netmilsmom]

>>All the arabs are savages...<<

What a horrible statement.

[kentj]

your right - I think he meant to say - diaperheaded middle eastern radical freaks not just the ARABS.

Hope that makes your feel better

[RoadTest]

So - - - at least one reason the Mainstream press takes the side of the Muslim cutthroats is fear?

[netmilsmom]

You may well be right.
DU watches for statements like this to point out what bigots we are.

And sometimes people can get carried away here.

[MarkL]

And the response, as always, is for the press to begin more favorable coverage for the bad guys. It's happened time and time again. Anybody else remember Eason Jordon's statement that CNN was well aware of the sort of abuses and torture by Hussien's goons, but they never reported on it because they didn't want to lose their Iraq bureau. So, they only reported on news favorable to the bad guys.

Let's not forget that this is the same guy who claimed that US troops purposely targeted and murdered reporters. Shameless bastard!

But I do hope and pray for the safe return of the Fox News guys.

Mark

[panthermom]

I could care less if people consider me a bigot with regards to the Arab world. They have shown me nothing that makes me think otherwise. They still practice mercy killings against their daughters, they treat their women like dirt, the palis celebrate one of their holidays by cutting their heads open with a sword, even the toddlers, they think blowing up innocent people riding on buses etc., is a way into heaven, they teach their children hatred for the infidels, they are liars and cowards. Are they savages? In my book they would qualify as such, over time we have become more civilized they unfortunately still live in the 12 century.

[Convert from ECUSA]

No surprises here - how true.

[unionblue83]

I could care less what the Useful Idiots at DU think about what is said here. Anytime you are winning an argument with a liberal you can be assured that when begin to pull out facts, you will be called a racist, a bigot, a redneck or much worse. "Facts are like kryptonite to liberals -- FReeper goarmy, circa 2004.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

But it’s not as if this is news to the Western media. They know it. Yet pretend as if they don’t. That’s the real travesty.

. . . no more than it is news to journalism that, for all the wailing about "intimidation" of journalists during the "McCarthy witchhunts," any journalist of the day would be able to prove that he had been "courageous" about reporting McCarthy's "abuses." Which only proves that the "abuses" were not scaring anybody.

[netmilsmom]

But you do understand that not all Arabs are Muslim.
I live in an area that is filled with Chaldean Catholics. Not a single one of them would slit your throat or blow up your kids.
They stand with us.

"Arab Street". Who cares?
Friends of ours, that is a whole different story.

If one listens to the stories of hate from the home countries and the joy that they hold on becoming American citizens, one would not make the statement that all Arabs are evil.

[netmilsmom]

I'll stand with you on that one!

[Biggirl]

The truth is that there is a growing angry backlash against muslims, so do not be suprise at all.

[Biggirl]

I stand by the Christian Arabs because they are the link to the earlist Christian Church community. Truly they bear witness to the reality of having to suffer twice, as Arabs and as Christians. God Bless them.

[Biggirl]

The DU folks could use a medicine pill of needed truth.

[DJ MacWoW]

In what other war were reporters stupid enough to try to get the enemy combatants side of the story? And what is the point of getting "their side" when the press knows it's not the truth? If the enemy doesn't like what you say, they'll come for you. Simple logic.