From: Elias Davidsson
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 7:37 AM
Subject: Unethical media coverage on UK events
Unethical
media coverage on UK events
Western media publish daily news and commentaries about the alleged terrorist
events in the UK. These writings have all in common to designate innocent
persons, who nobody has proven guilty, as terrorists. Some commentators go
even further by speculating about the alleged psychology of medical doctors
who apparently engage in terrorism, as if the guilt of the detainees (most of
whom are medical doctors or medical students) had been proved. It appears
that Western journalists have no qualms anymore in attributing evil to Muslims
because lives and dignity of Muslims appear of no consequence to them. Such
racist attitude is inacceptable.
Hardly any commentator has mentioned that the accused, or their lawyers, have
not been heard. We only have heard one side of the story. What kind of
journalism is this? Can anyone draw conclusions about their guilt, let alone
speculate about their motives, before listening to their side of the story?
Should they be cleared of any guilt, how will the media repair the tort?
The aim of terrorist acts (as distinct from common crime) is to draw attention
to a political goal. It makes no sense for those who seek a political or
religious goal to place a bomb without address and message. To arbitrary kill
a few passerby is certainly a criminal act, but it does not make political
sense. To create public panic for its own sake has no more purpose than
shouting "fire" in a full theater. The recent events in the UK were not
accompanied by a political or religious announcement. From a Muslim or Arab
perspective these acts are meaningless and counter-productive. Those who
gain by such acts are those who wish to sow distrust towards Muslims and Arabs
and prepare the ground for further wars against Muslim or Arab nations. It is
among such constituencies that the masterminds of all unclaimed and unsolved
"terrorist" acts committed in the West should be searched.
Elias Davidsson
July 4, 2007