The BBC's hatred for Israel

[Herschel]

Those who wonder why Israel was chosen as the state most dangerous to world peace in a recent European poll need only look to the European media.

A recent BBC film Israel's Secret Weapons, devoted to exposing Israel as a prime international threat worse than Saddam Hussein, is a prime example of how the European media vilifies Israel. The film was made prior to the American invasion, as part of an effort to delegitimate American efforts by showing that US ally Israel is by far the greater offender, and if anyone should be bombed Israel should be first.

Israel's Secret Weapons was shown at the Jerusalem Cinematheque's British film week sponsored by the British Council.

This is not the first time, of course, that the BBC has taken on Israel in an effort to delegitimate it and, as in its previous efforts, it uses all possible means, including lies and distortions.

cut

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1075263108410&p=1006953079865

Be mindful of the BBC's bias. They are only marginally better than much of the Arab media we are exposed to.

[MikeGalos]

1. Typical of the BBC

But then, it IS the official broadcast service of the government that gave us Harry St. John "Jack" Philby and T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia).

For a list of some of the Beeb's "Fair and Balanced" coverage of the middle east, see CAMERAs BBC page at http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=4&x_outlet=12

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tinoire]

2. They are only marginally better than much of the Arab media

They are only marginally better than much of the Arab media we are exposed to?

The only media we can believe are Israel's and America's right? They are the guardians of the truth? Wow.

We've already seen where those mediums & their drum-beat to war with justification for pre-emptive strikes have gotten us.

Thank God they both have a vibrant Leftist movement exposing all the lies.

[Herschel]

3. Much Arab media is unreliable

This is largely because many Arab states are ruled by inferior governments which influence their so-called media.

[brainshrub]

5. Oh, like our government doesn't do the same? (nt)

[Herschel]

6. American and Israeli media

are largely more reliable than Arab media.

[brainshrub]

16. Depends on the issue.

For example, watching the Shock & Awe bombing of Iraq on US Media one might come to the conclusion that civilian casualities were slight. If you watched Arab media you would have seen the full scope of the damage.

I don't think the issue with mainstrean Arab media is quality, I think it's focus.

[DuctapeFatwa]

19. And in that it is no different from any commercial media

If Malaysia invaded the US, do you imagine that Canadian TV would be showing lots of cute Malaysian toddlers lisping about daddy gone to kill the bad guys, or bombed homes and bloody Americans?

While to Americans, Iraqis may be exotic strange, semi-fictional creatures on TV, to people in the region they are just plain folks, regular people that they know from vacations and soccer games and their second cousin's wedding, so naturally news coverage of US activities will focus more on the effects of those activities on Iraqis, and the region itself, because that is the reality of the viewing public there.

[drewb]

28. Inferior people breed inferior governments...

I'm beginning to have an inferiority complex myself...

:crazy:

:loveya:

[brainshrub]

32. Are you saying that Arabs are inferior people?

[Zuni]

9. The Arab media is far worse than even FOX

I have seen translations of articles in Arab newspapers which are blatantly racist, provocative, tinfoil hat type, demonizing, fear mongering
Fox looks like the gospels compared to much of the Arab press.

I know you prefer to believe the left wing versions of things, but European media is blatantly anti-Israel for the most part, much as much of the US media was pro-Israel.

[brainshrub]

17. To be fair:

I'm sure you could find articles online & in print in American papers that are also blatantly racist, provocative, tinfoil hat type, demonizing, and fear mongering against the Arabs.

Also, I suggest you take a look at a few translated Israeli papers. That should be lots of fun.

[tinnypriv]

18. Well, I couldn't comment on the Arab or American regional press

Since I have no competence with either, but here is a recent example in Israel which I found um, quite interesting (from a right-wing commentator):

"Israel could destroy Hezbollah and pick lice from Nasrallah's beard"¹

Incidentially, the same article refers to the political echelon as "feeble" (i.e. Sharon).

This is a pretty representative illustration of significant militirised segments in Israel. If you're interested, an article discussing an off-shoot of this type of viewpoint (proponents of "national security" above all else) will probably by available on the Ha'aretz site in a few days.²

Specifically, it deals with harassment of "left" activists who are considered the "enemy" (blacklisting, hassle at Ben-Gurion etc).

-----

1. My emphasis. Goldstein, Ma'ariv, 28 Jan 2004.
2. The article is online: http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/pages/ShArtTower.jhtml?itemNo=387650&nl=28_01 (Lavie, Ha'aretz, 28 Jan 2004, Hebrew only)

[Zuni]

23. I have seen stuff from Saudi, Palestinian and Lebanese papers

that looks virtually identical to stuff you could have seen in Der Sturmer in germany in the 1930s. I am not exaggerating.
Find one mainstream American or Israeli newspaper that prints articles and cartoons about Arabs that portray them as blood drinkers, subhumans, evil incarnate, etc.

[brainshrub]

31. Here's a thought:

Can you find mainstream publications in Israel that show Palestinians as a subhuman blood drinkers? I distinctly remember lots of cartoons about Iraqi-soldiers during the 1991 war that weren't to flattering either. (They also looked like cruder versions of Der Sturmer's work.)

Nations at war caricaturize the enemy. From the Arab perspective, Israel is the enemy. From the Arab perspective, Israel is made up of Zionist imperialist colonisers... Do you expect them to give Israel a positive light when they don't get the same favor in return?

Arab editorials have less to do with inherent anti-sematism, and more to do with latent rage against a conquerer.

I don't think Arab, Israeli, American or European mainstream media are purposefully giving out bias information. I do think each news-source has it's own perspective and that it reflected in it's content.

---

Footnote: While I write this, I am becoming curious as to the Chinese perspective of the I/P issue and how their media portrays it.

[plurality]

4. yawn

You're right, I'll rely on Arutz Sheva for my news from now on.

[MikeGalos]

8. Having read both

I'd say that they're about equally biased in editorials but even Arutz Sheva is more accurate in facts than the Beeb when it comes to the Middle East.

[Zuni]

11. European media

is truly awful on the middle east, even worse than ours. I think it is due to the huge muslim populations

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Zuni]

21. I read some Euro papers

Mostly british oneslike the Guardian, the telegraph. I occasionally get articles from le Monde and other continental papers emailed to me from friends, as well as finding translated versions on the net.

[tinnypriv]

25. So

From reading The Guardian, The Telegraph and Le Monde, and some "translated items" (uncited), you conclude the European media is "truly awful" with regards to the Middle East?

I'm not sure what to say to that. Except:

1. The Guardian has often taken an editorial line so pro-Israel it even contradicts official Israeli government announcements (can cite the correction of mine they published if you like).

2. The Telegraph is so militantly pro-Israel I assume there is no need to comment.

3. There is a difference between Le Monde diplomatique (which I assume you're reading), and Le Monde.

4. Unless you speak French, German, Swedish, Spanish etc., I fail to see how you could be reading these "continental papers" which have been emailed to you. Hence, I don't understand how you can be drawing any conclusions about the "european" media, since you have no significant exposure to it.

Note that there is a difference between "media" and "press". You've not addressed how you are managing to make disparaging comments about European television, radio etc, since I presume you have no capacity to access it.

FWIW, I almost never comment on the European media, or draw any conclusions on it, since I cannot read it, hear it or watch it. Same goes for the Arabic, Persian, etc etc media.

My polite suggestion is that you do the same. You're free to disregard that advice of course.

[tinnypriv]

14. I agree

There is no way the BBC would report some items that have been reported on Arutz Sheva.

Of course, that just demonstrates the protection the liberal media gives to Israel, not the other way around.

[FreeperSlayer]

7. SOMEONE needs to take on Israel

No politician here has the bal, er, gumption.

[tinnypriv]

12. For anybody marginally concerned about the facts:

"The BBC didn't raise anything that has not already been on Israeli television,"

"It's the tone not the facts we're worried about."

- Danny Seaman (director of the Israel government press office)

Next.

[Resistance]

22. Amazing

The propaganda work is really stunning sometimes.

[mmm]

15. BBC is butt-kicking TV!

I love it.

[David__77]

20. wow, this doesn't say much...

I would need more specific information to determine if bias is at work. Merely airing a special about Israel's alleged weapons of mass destruction in itself is not bias. Using the terms "occupation" or "resistance" is not bias either. Jerusalem Post is a very rightwing news source.

[Forkboy]

24. lol

a post from the jpost...and a complaint of bias.

The irony is thick here.Oh,my!

[tinnypriv]

26. Yeah

The same publication that distorts wire reports with "nationalistcally" correct cutting and pasting. Hilarious.¹

-----

1. See for example, 'Israeli Hip-Hop Singer Touches a Nationalist Chord Among Israelis', Associated Press, Dec 2003, and the treatment it received in the Jerusalem Post (one example being that midly critical comments from a Ma'ariv art critic were deliberately excised).

[number6]

27. I doubt the BBC hates Israel

..

[Jack Rabbit]

29. We have it on good authority that the BBC is biased

It says so in the Jerusalem Post. Lord Black's fish wrap has spoken.

Just to drive the point home, another poster reinforces this point by citing CAMERA, a media watchdog group with as much credibility as the Media Research Center.

If the BBC really were biased, this would be a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

As it is, case dismissed.

[Resistance]

30. LOL