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The French Media, the Anglo-Saxon Media, and Gaza. The FACTS!
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France :
Before everyone starts their knee-jerk incrimination of the “Western corporate Media” concerning the terrible events in Gaza (as I have already read here and there) I thought this would be an opportune moment to give you some real information.
(If you don’t like reading facts, you may prefer to leave here and go to some Anti-Semitic or Anti-Muslim site, of which there are far too many. Unfortunately).
The Western media seems to be quite balanced concerning this issue.
So let’s go to Gaza, from a French point of view.
I have been reading the following papers.. Le Figaro, le Monde, Liberation, l’Express, and the following TV stations.. TF1 FR2 and FR3.
They represent 90% of what people see or read here in France.
This is what I found.
Since the end of the cease-fire I have seen very few pictures of the many rockets that fell on Israel. NO press organization has given more than a few lines to news articles about them. Normal. These attacks killed “only” one person, so there’s no need to whip up anti-Palestinian opinion because of them.
The French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said, however, about the Israeli attacks on Gaza;
“I demand the end of rocket attacks upon Israel as well as the Israeli bombing of Gaza”. “I firmly condemn the irresponsible provocations which have led to this situation just as I condemn the disproportionate use of force (against them)”. It’s all front-page news. As it should be.
What’s wrong with that?
The French Prime Minister, François Fillon, said “I am profoundly concerned by this situation, and I would like to see a lasting cease-fire”.
What’s wrong with that?
Moreover, the large majority of photos used to headline articles about the Gaza bombings contain images of civilian victims, even though they are NOT known (at the moment I write this) to make up the majority of casualties.
What’s wrong with that?
The European Union has also, via Javier Solana, said much the same thing whilst also deploring the high casualty rate.
The British and American governments have taken similar (stop rockets-stop bombing) stances.
And so has the United Nations.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT?
Fact 1 – The mainstream Western press does NOT print news stories giving only one side of the story, only one side’s casualties, one side’s leader’s point of view, one side’s pictures and one side’s explanation.
Fact 2 – The mainstream Western press also contains articles criticizing what it sees as anti-muslim national policy.
______________
Your (and my) more-or-less biased opinions are one thing. We all have our differing convictions and concepts of what, and who,is right and wrong..
But all I’m asking for here, please, is that people do not confuse, at this dangerous moment, the geopolitical origins of the policy decisions taken by Western and Arab Governments and leaders, with the presentation of news and opinion in the Western Press.
I’m sure you will not fall into this trap.
After all, Instablogs is a news site and not a propaganda site, right?
And you have your OWN, and your OBJECTIVE opinions, right?
(Euhhh right?)
Michael C
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Well done Michael... Good article.
(Global Perspectives)
Thank you Robbie, that’s very kind.
I see you just joined IB. Welcome to the site and I look forward to reading your
posts.
Excellent day to you.....
I see you just joined IB. Welcome to the site and I look forward to reading your
posts.
Excellent day to you.....
(Local Perspectives)
Hey Michael, ever since this whole incident I have actually searched for any kind of International Reaction that would seem fair, objective and actually LOGIC.
I’m glad with what I read about President Sarkozy’s statement... I personally have a lot of mixed feelings about this whole issue, especially after the immense aggression towards the Egyptian Government and Nasrallah’s release, and what’s happening at the border. It’s just confusing and it makes my head hurts.
however...
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN GORDON JOHNDROE:
”Hamas’ continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people.
and..
”The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza.”
and..
ISRAELI Defense MINISTER EHUD BARAK:
”There is a time for calm and a time for fighting, and now the time has come to fight.”
Is exactly why the East feels strong subjectivity from the West, and something we call ta’rees (which means ass kissing)...
I’m glad with what I read about President Sarkozy’s statement... I personally have a lot of mixed feelings about this whole issue, especially after the immense aggression towards the Egyptian Government and Nasrallah’s release, and what’s happening at the border. It’s just confusing and it makes my head hurts.
however...
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN GORDON JOHNDROE:
”Hamas’ continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people.
and..
”The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza.”
and..
ISRAELI Defense MINISTER EHUD BARAK:
”There is a time for calm and a time for fighting, and now the time has come to fight.”
Is exactly why the East feels strong subjectivity from the West, and something we call ta’rees (which means ass kissing)...
(Global Perspectives)
I understand your sentiments entirely, about all that has been said in the Western press, and you have every reason not to agree with those things you quoted.
We think, however, it’s good to print it because it expresses one side of the argument.
But, and this is where non-readers of our press get it wrong, we print the other side of the story too.
I’ve read, in the same papers, stuff like ”This is genocide” (”French Mid-east affairs spokeswoman in European Parliament)
”Israel is not just defending itself. This is over-the-top aggression” (The Guardian)
”Israel is making a grave error” (The Times)
”Cruel and disproportionate. Murderous methods” (About Israel in ”Liberation”)
And the list goes on.
I don’t know, but it seems to me that there is nothing wrong with that......I don’t think it’s ass-licking for those who read both sides of the story.
I sincerely think the best thing to do here is to take what we like, and leave the rest.....without being selective.
Waddya say S!!
We think, however, it’s good to print it because it expresses one side of the argument.
But, and this is where non-readers of our press get it wrong, we print the other side of the story too.
I’ve read, in the same papers, stuff like ”This is genocide” (”French Mid-east affairs spokeswoman in European Parliament)
”Israel is not just defending itself. This is over-the-top aggression” (The Guardian)
”Israel is making a grave error” (The Times)
”Cruel and disproportionate. Murderous methods” (About Israel in ”Liberation”)
And the list goes on.
I don’t know, but it seems to me that there is nothing wrong with that......I don’t think it’s ass-licking for those who read both sides of the story.
I sincerely think the best thing to do here is to take what we like, and leave the rest.....without being selective.
Waddya say S!!
(Local Perspectives)
I agree entirely, but the problem is, the general Arab population does not go online and check out newspapers like The Guardian or Liberation. You must also remember that Local Media in itself is very biased.
It’s not ass kissing if you recite both sides of course it isn’t. It’s objectivity.
what i’m referring to as ass kissing are the ridiculous weak statements that were issued in regards to Israeli aggression in comparison to the stronger statements in regards to Hamas’ terrorism.
It’s not ass kissing if you recite both sides of course it isn’t. It’s objectivity.
what i’m referring to as ass kissing are the ridiculous weak statements that were issued in regards to Israeli aggression in comparison to the stronger statements in regards to Hamas’ terrorism.
(Global Perspectives)
Oh yeah. Absolutely.
But don’t worry, I, and many others here, are not dupe to that kind of standard-wooden-language bullshit.
Of course it’s ass-kissing lol!
So that’s why we print the other side of the ass-kissing too!!
It reflects the West’s dilemma. How to please Israel and, at the same time, help Palestinians to live freely (which is what 90% of people want). Or, if you prefer, how to sell arms to, and do business with, BOTH sides in the mideast conflict.
ZAT is ze qvestiun!!
But don’t worry, I, and many others here, are not dupe to that kind of standard-wooden-language bullshit.
Of course it’s ass-kissing lol!
So that’s why we print the other side of the ass-kissing too!!
It reflects the West’s dilemma. How to please Israel and, at the same time, help Palestinians to live freely (which is what 90% of people want). Or, if you prefer, how to sell arms to, and do business with, BOTH sides in the mideast conflict.
ZAT is ze qvestiun!!
(Local Perspectives)
That’s why I find excessive ”side-taking” a little naive.
It’s complicated, and the stakes are not what we think. Egypt is well-placed to know the various clashes of interest that come with trying to negotiate a settlement.
There are no easy and partisan-blame-it-on-the-others answers, I am sorry to say.
It’s complicated, and the stakes are not what we think. Egypt is well-placed to know the various clashes of interest that come with trying to negotiate a settlement.
There are no easy and partisan-blame-it-on-the-others answers, I am sorry to say.
(Local Perspectives)
On the subject of Egypt, I have the impression that the Egyptians are doing their best in very difficult (impossible?) conditions. But I’m not there, so I can’t know everything.
I would be more than interested to know what you think....The press here seems to agree that your country is doing its best.
Maybe they are wrong. Who knows....
I would be more than interested to know what you think....The press here seems to agree that your country is doing its best.
Maybe they are wrong. Who knows....
(Local Perspectives)
Michael, you are absoluely correct. The paradox in the South Asian countries is that the US and West-bashing has become a routine rather religious affair. A few years ago, A Pakistani columnist, of course in a Pakistan daily, wrote that morning, evening we curse the US for all the ills in our country but every bureaucrat, politician and newsperson crave for sending their wards to the US for higher education and subseqently a decent job there.
Moreover, we have mindset, gatekeepers and filters to read a news item. We wish to read what we want to read. Otherwise we have the faculty to perceive the happenings according to what we want to read, hear or see. Therefore, you have done a yeoman service by providing a glimpse of news items in the French and West Press on the current happenings in the mid-east.
Hope, your comment does not fall on deaf ears.
Moreover, we have mindset, gatekeepers and filters to read a news item. We wish to read what we want to read. Otherwise we have the faculty to perceive the happenings according to what we want to read, hear or see. Therefore, you have done a yeoman service by providing a glimpse of news items in the French and West Press on the current happenings in the mid-east.
Hope, your comment does not fall on deaf ears.
(Global Perspectives)
Thank you Anil.
And may I assure you that blinkered points of view are found here too!! South Asia is not alone in this respect.
The French love to laminate the USA, but lap up their culture, and there is so much anti muslim or anti anglo-saxon expression amongst people. People who, obviously, do not read the press.
I wish they would. Our press may not be perfect, but, for those who want to take the time to read it, BOTH sides of it, it’s far from being the worst.
(Incidentally, and I may be wrong here, but, legitimate political alignment apart, the Indian press seems fairly good too. Would you agree?)
And may I assure you that blinkered points of view are found here too!! South Asia is not alone in this respect.
The French love to laminate the USA, but lap up their culture, and there is so much anti muslim or anti anglo-saxon expression amongst people. People who, obviously, do not read the press.
I wish they would. Our press may not be perfect, but, for those who want to take the time to read it, BOTH sides of it, it’s far from being the worst.
(Incidentally, and I may be wrong here, but, legitimate political alignment apart, the Indian press seems fairly good too. Would you agree?)
(Local Perspectives)
hello there,
I certainly hope this is not a reaction to our discussion at Wa’d’s article, because I think it was a respectful one.
first of all I want to clear that the so-called gap between the west and the east (the one I’ve mentioned in our discussion) is ideological rather than being a media-based gap. However, I will not forfeit one of my most influential motos ”MEDIA IS EVIL!” regardless of media’s origins; after all they need money, and those in power regardless of their origins provide this money...do the math.
as for your article, it reflects the truth, the accessible truth to be more precise, however, the international reaction remains... let me recite a famous quote: ”words, words, words..” we can see no action, nothing to stop the massacre. What I mean is, the statement of ”the leader of X” is only statements to inculcate a fake satisfaction in ”the people of X”. It has only an internal purpose not an external one.
the truth is, the Arabs do not blame the western press, there are some arabic presses/persons who have adopted an astonishing reaction that israeli media were ashamed to undertake. For instance, a Palestinian IB user wrote something like ”the bad news is Ismael Haneieh is not dead yet!”– so this is the only bad news!!!— another one, the Palestinian Presedent himself said, ”I warned Hamas!!”– now you cannot call this outrageous, its rather humiliated, after all they are bombing his own country.
I certainly hope this is not a reaction to our discussion at Wa’d’s article, because I think it was a respectful one.
first of all I want to clear that the so-called gap between the west and the east (the one I’ve mentioned in our discussion) is ideological rather than being a media-based gap. However, I will not forfeit one of my most influential motos ”MEDIA IS EVIL!” regardless of media’s origins; after all they need money, and those in power regardless of their origins provide this money...do the math.
as for your article, it reflects the truth, the accessible truth to be more precise, however, the international reaction remains... let me recite a famous quote: ”words, words, words..” we can see no action, nothing to stop the massacre. What I mean is, the statement of ”the leader of X” is only statements to inculcate a fake satisfaction in ”the people of X”. It has only an internal purpose not an external one.
the truth is, the Arabs do not blame the western press, there are some arabic presses/persons who have adopted an astonishing reaction that israeli media were ashamed to undertake. For instance, a Palestinian IB user wrote something like ”the bad news is Ismael Haneieh is not dead yet!”– so this is the only bad news!!!— another one, the Palestinian Presedent himself said, ”I warned Hamas!!”– now you cannot call this outrageous, its rather humiliated, after all they are bombing his own country.
(Global Perspectives)
btw, thanks for your hard efforts in collecting those articles, I really appreciate it.
(Global Perspectives)
Hi H. A.!!
No LOL! My post was written before I saw that post, although, as coincidence would have it, both are about presenting events in the press.
Concerning ”the accessible truth”, I couldn’t agree more, as I am sure you have read in my comments to Sarah.
That is why, moreover, I find it hard to be categorically condemning of one side or the other. It’s all so much more complicated.........
And I certainly believe (if only because I’ve read the same things in the press here) that not all Arab opinion is one-way.
As for the Palestinian President’s remark, hmmm, he may have his own reasons for saying that, in my humble opinion...
Seeya!
No LOL! My post was written before I saw that post, although, as coincidence would have it, both are about presenting events in the press.
Concerning ”the accessible truth”, I couldn’t agree more, as I am sure you have read in my comments to Sarah.
That is why, moreover, I find it hard to be categorically condemning of one side or the other. It’s all so much more complicated.........
And I certainly believe (if only because I’ve read the same things in the press here) that not all Arab opinion is one-way.
As for the Palestinian President’s remark, hmmm, he may have his own reasons for saying that, in my humble opinion...
Seeya!
(Local Perspectives)
The pleasure’s mine H. A. Thanks.
Oh, and I forgot to say.
The ”MEDIA IS EVIL”?
Oh, right on the button!!!
That’s why it pays to read around and try to pick up all sides of the story and try to make sense of it all.
I just hope that the press here keeps up its relatively balanced global approach (even if different presses have different reasons for slanting things).
And you may be sure that many Western papers get scathing letters from me when I see excess bias creeping in LOL!!!!!
Seeya!
Oh, and I forgot to say.
The ”MEDIA IS EVIL”?
Oh, right on the button!!!
That’s why it pays to read around and try to pick up all sides of the story and try to make sense of it all.
I just hope that the press here keeps up its relatively balanced global approach (even if different presses have different reasons for slanting things).
And you may be sure that many Western papers get scathing letters from me when I see excess bias creeping in LOL!!!!!
Seeya!
(Local Perspectives)
Michael, you are not wrong. The Indian media by and large prefers to adopt objective views as it is not afflicted with the Islamophobia in the way as it plagues the media in the West. But things are changing fast and one may not be surprise to find that Indian Press may too fall to the subjectivity in the near future.
At the same time, I wish to inform you that the media in Pakistan deserves a word of praise as it operates in an atmosphere of undemocratic government and rising tide of religious terrorists while in India, the media is free of pressure of any sort. The sad development is that the media in India too fail to report the violence, unleashed by terrorists and mercenaries from time to time on innocent and unarmed civil population but at the same time offer its platform eagerly to terrorists for publicity.
At the same time, I wish to inform you that the media in Pakistan deserves a word of praise as it operates in an atmosphere of undemocratic government and rising tide of religious terrorists while in India, the media is free of pressure of any sort. The sad development is that the media in India too fail to report the violence, unleashed by terrorists and mercenaries from time to time on innocent and unarmed civil population but at the same time offer its platform eagerly to terrorists for publicity.
(Global Perspectives)
Thank you Anil,
for having been courteous enough to take the time to answer.
In fact, your comment is almost a mini-article!! (I am sure that it may inspire a post from someone...)
I am very intrigued to learn what you have to say about the Pakistani press. I have not, sorry to say, taken the time to read it, but I certainly will. In the hours, and not the days, to come.
Concerning India, yes, I too have noticed the beginnings of what promises to be a fierce debate about the presentation of events and space given to terrorist points of view...Hmmm. Must keep an eye on that.
Thanks again!
for having been courteous enough to take the time to answer.
In fact, your comment is almost a mini-article!! (I am sure that it may inspire a post from someone...)
I am very intrigued to learn what you have to say about the Pakistani press. I have not, sorry to say, taken the time to read it, but I certainly will. In the hours, and not the days, to come.
Concerning India, yes, I too have noticed the beginnings of what promises to be a fierce debate about the presentation of events and space given to terrorist points of view...Hmmm. Must keep an eye on that.
Thanks again!
(Local Perspectives)
@ Sarah: I respect your opinion, but I wish that you read mine and give it a little pondering.
I am someone who’s dubbed by many as ”a completely emotional person who’s able to maintain a stable reaction whatever the case was.” of course sometimes I despise such description.
what I want to say is that if you’re an arab, and you have emotions, it would be impossible to maintain a moderate stand, or ”mixed feelings”.
perhaps others can, thats why I understand and respect Michael’s opinion, but as for Arabs it has clearly became a struggle between two sides. I will not address those now I think its pretty obvious.
Nevertheless, when people throw accusations on Egypt, they mean the Egyptian Government not the people. I believe you know that most of Egyptians themselves disgraced their government’s actions. I dont know about you, but let me cite some important facts:
1) Egypt was one of the strongest and most influential countries in the Arab World, and role model for all Arabian Patriots before the treaty of Camp David, after that everything changed.
2) in the last war on Lebanon, the Egyptian Government blamed the Lebanese Resistance of ”dragging Lebanon into war” whilst the general opinion (including western press) was that Israel has planned this attack two years ago.
3) in the aftermath of the previously-mentioned war, the Egyptian Government (along with other arabian governments) stated that Hezbullah is defeated, while Israel itself announced its defeat.
4)if Egypt chose to open Rafah’s Gate the Israelian blockade would be utterly futile– that didnt happen however which raised the wave of anger among the arabians including the Egyptians themselves.
5) Tsibi Livni confirmed that she has told three arabic governments about Israel’s next step against Gaza– its generally believed that the above mentioned three are ”Egypt, Jordan and KSA)
6) there were plenty of outrageous reactions to the blockade and or the massacre in Gaza and I’ll mention one of those:
*) ”We have warned Hamas!”, ”Hamas has to stop attacking Israel”, the Egyptian Foreign Minister.—and when asked about allowing the injured to pass to Egypt he answered, ”go ask the controlling authorities.” whilst a report in Aljazeera showed that the Egyptian Authorities are allowing only the dead to trespass so they can have a ”decent” burial.
*) ”what blockade?!” Shiekh Al-Azhar when asked about Gaza. He is considered by all the shiekh of the government.
again, I want to clarify that I’m not attacking you or your opinion, I’m not asking you Michael or any other none-arab to take a side in this; I’m just expressing my opinion on this struggle as a critical struggle that will determine a nation’s fate, its not only a trivia to debate about.
peace.
I am someone who’s dubbed by many as ”a completely emotional person who’s able to maintain a stable reaction whatever the case was.” of course sometimes I despise such description.
what I want to say is that if you’re an arab, and you have emotions, it would be impossible to maintain a moderate stand, or ”mixed feelings”.
perhaps others can, thats why I understand and respect Michael’s opinion, but as for Arabs it has clearly became a struggle between two sides. I will not address those now I think its pretty obvious.
Nevertheless, when people throw accusations on Egypt, they mean the Egyptian Government not the people. I believe you know that most of Egyptians themselves disgraced their government’s actions. I dont know about you, but let me cite some important facts:
1) Egypt was one of the strongest and most influential countries in the Arab World, and role model for all Arabian Patriots before the treaty of Camp David, after that everything changed.
2) in the last war on Lebanon, the Egyptian Government blamed the Lebanese Resistance of ”dragging Lebanon into war” whilst the general opinion (including western press) was that Israel has planned this attack two years ago.
3) in the aftermath of the previously-mentioned war, the Egyptian Government (along with other arabian governments) stated that Hezbullah is defeated, while Israel itself announced its defeat.
4)if Egypt chose to open Rafah’s Gate the Israelian blockade would be utterly futile– that didnt happen however which raised the wave of anger among the arabians including the Egyptians themselves.
5) Tsibi Livni confirmed that she has told three arabic governments about Israel’s next step against Gaza– its generally believed that the above mentioned three are ”Egypt, Jordan and KSA)
6) there were plenty of outrageous reactions to the blockade and or the massacre in Gaza and I’ll mention one of those:
*) ”We have warned Hamas!”, ”Hamas has to stop attacking Israel”, the Egyptian Foreign Minister.—and when asked about allowing the injured to pass to Egypt he answered, ”go ask the controlling authorities.” whilst a report in Aljazeera showed that the Egyptian Authorities are allowing only the dead to trespass so they can have a ”decent” burial.
*) ”what blockade?!” Shiekh Al-Azhar when asked about Gaza. He is considered by all the shiekh of the government.
again, I want to clarify that I’m not attacking you or your opinion, I’m not asking you Michael or any other none-arab to take a side in this; I’m just expressing my opinion on this struggle as a critical struggle that will determine a nation’s fate, its not only a trivia to debate about.
peace.
(Global Perspectives)
errrrrrrgh... bad printing again, that has to be ”emotionless” not ”emotional”, I guess this will clear away that creepy contradiction in my previous post.
(Global Perspectives)
”that has to be ”emotionless” not ”emotional””
Lol! Well, as they say here, ”If you’re gonna f*** up, you might as well do it big-time!!”
(But I kinda liked the original version. It was kind of ummm, deep).
Please feel free to lampoon my typos whenever you like H.A.
I LOVE typos!!!
Funny. Seeya!
Lol! Well, as they say here, ”If you’re gonna f*** up, you might as well do it big-time!!”
(But I kinda liked the original version. It was kind of ummm, deep).
Please feel free to lampoon my typos whenever you like H.A.
I LOVE typos!!!
Funny. Seeya!
(Local Perspectives)
perhaps the original version is true, but people usually percieve the ”corrected one”, they have their reasons however.. lol.
sometimes Typos are embarrassing... but don’t get too excited, I said sometimes :)
sometimes Typos are embarrassing... but don’t get too excited, I said sometimes :)
(Global Perspectives)
Add your Comment
Then again, you would, wouldn’t you. That’s because you like to conflate.
You have your opinion, I have mine. I have no problem with that, but can’t you just say what you think? Can’t I?
Go for it, here’s a invitation,..............say what you REALLY think.
Write paragraphes about your anti-jewish views if you like.
Go.......