MRN

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country. The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Nations their40in the media

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Dr. Bouthaina Shaaban

(source: Middle East Monitor)

Countries’40in the past used to depend on what the people in those countries produce in terms of development, innovation, science and art. That image was a natural result of the achievements and the work done in those countries for the benefit of their people and other peoples too. But since forces known for their right-wing extremism took control of the world broadcast, print and electronic media, they started to be an important factor in shaping a positive or negative image of countries; and in this way interests, policies and extremist ideologies started to form the image of many countries. This problem has been exasperated after the media revolution to the extent that it has become difficult, in many cases, to arrive at the truth or to discern reality and distinguish it from this deliberately manufactured image which is, sometimes, at odds, or in sharp contrast, with reality.

Rightwing forces in the West, which realized the role of the media, started to exert a monopoly over the media (60% of the British media, for instance, is owned by one person). That is why the media has turned, in recent years, into a tool in war, aggression, torture, forgery and in justifying the crimes of tyrants. And that is why the Arabs’ image is being manufactured by their enemies, while Israel’s image has remained that of ‘an oasis of democracy’, although it launches wars and practices genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinian people.

The Arab world is a model victim of the IT and information age, despite the fact that it possesses the largest number of satellite TV stations in the world, in proportion to its population; for the number of satellite stations does not mean the existence of a strategy or that these stations reflect the causes of these countries or present these causes on the local and global level in an appropriate and useful manner. The problem has reached a degree where it became difficult for outside observers of Arab media to have an actual assessment of Arab causes and their expected role in supporting these causes.

Breaking the deadlock

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Naom Chomsky

(source: VOCfm Online)

While intensively engaged in illegal settlement expansion, the government of Israel is also seeking to deal with two problems: a global campaign of what it perceives as “delegitimation” – that is, objections to its crimes and withdrawal of participation in them – and a parallel campaign of legitimation of Palestine.

The “delegitimation,” which is progressing rapidly, was carried forward in December by a Human Rights Watch call on the U.S. “to suspend financing to Israel in an amount equivalent to the costs of Israel’s spending in support of settlements,” and to monitor contributions to Israel from tax-exempt U.S. organizations that violate international law, “including prohibitions against discrimination” – which would cast a wide net. Amnesty International had already called for an arms embargo on Israel. The legitimation process also took a long step forward in December, when Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil recognized the State of Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank), bringing the number of supporting nations to more than 100.

International lawyer John Whitbeck estimates that 80-90 percent of the world’s population live in states that recognize Palestine, while 10-20 percent recognize the Republic of Kosovo. The U.S. recognizes Kosovo but not Palestine. Accordingly, as Whitbeck writes in Counterpunch, media “act as though Kosovo’s independence were an accomplished fact while Palestine’s independence is only an aspiration which can never be realized without Israeli-American consent,” reflecting the normal workings of power in the international arena.

Jack straws attack on the pakistani community

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

By Yvonne Ridley

(source: Counterpunch.org)

Has an open season of hate been declared on the Pakistani community in Britain? I have to ask after listening to a former Labour minister’s astonishing attack on young, Pakistani men in recent days.

Using the same politics of race – which cost neighboring ex-MP Phil Woolas his seat – Jack Straw launched what I can only describe as a hateful blast on the Pakistani community in Britain. The former UK foreign and home secretary accused some Pakistani men of seeing white girls as “easy meat” for sexual abuse. In a speech which could have come from the pages of a BNP election leaflet, the Blackburn MP talked of a “specific problem” involving Pakistani men and called on the community to be “more open” about the issue.

All of this only days before a crucial by-election in Britain in a constituency where the predominant minority community hails from Pakistan. He launched his attack after two Asian men subjected a series of vulnerable girls to rapes and sexual assaults. The two were, quite rightly, given indefinite jail terms. Personally, I thought life sentences would have been more appropriate for what they did.

Abid Mohammed Saddique, 27, was jailed for a minimum of 11 years at Nottingham Crown Court and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat, 28, was told he must serve at least eight years before being considered for release. They were the leaders of a gang who befriended girls aged from 12 to 18 in the Derby area and groomed them for sex.

As a journalist of more than 35 years, I’ve sat through countless court cases and trials and listened to similar, horrific stories pour forth. As long as there are vulnerable young women, of no particular faith and skin color, they will be targeted by criminally-driven men of no particular faith and skin colour. Having lived in Soho, London’s so-called red light district, for two decades, I’ve watched the prostitution and drug rings change hands from the control of English to Maltese to Turkish to Albanian male gangs.

Press statement

by MRN
January 1, 2013July 25, 2013

Southern Sudan: Mind Your Language!

The Media Review Network (MRN) notes with incredulity and astonishment that some media reports about the referendum currently being held in Southern Sudan insist on referring to the constituency as Muslim north and Christian South.

The demographics of the Country show the following population breakdown:

SUDAN:

70% Muslim

25% Indigenous (Animists, Tribal Religions of which there are many)

5% Christian

SOUTHERN SUDAN:

55% Indigenous groups

30% Muslim

15% Christian

The clash is not based on ethnic, religious or tribal considerations. It is too simplistic for the media to reduce the coverage to one of “Muslim Arab North” versus a “Christian African South”. For the media to make constant reference to religion is being deceptive and misleading.

The entire secession exercise has been encouraged by the west using “religion” as its tool. The MRN urges the media to refrain from using such rhetoric which is unrepresentative of the reality on the ground. The first responsibility of reporters and journalists is to the readers.

Thank you

Ibrahim Vawda

Senior Researcher,

Media Review Network

Tell: 012 374 6987

E-mail: webmaster@mediareviewnet.com