Does it have to be al qaeda?
By Iqbal Jassat
(source: Voice of the Cape Online)
"Cup terror arrest" or "Saudi held for al-Qaeda attack on WC" are some of the sensationalist headlines accompanying reports on the Iraqi army’s announcement of a possible terrorist threat to the Fifa World Cup in South Africa. The allure and power of these screaming headlines allows not only a huge hike in sales of newspapers; it also impacts on public opinion to the extent that more people are likely to accept that al-Qaeda poses a major threat to disrupt this country’s much awaited soccer spectacle.
Media would correctly argue that its function as a public watchdog is to disseminate news and information. It will say too, with full justification, that its role to do so will not be sacrificed at the altar of any holy cow. It will remain faithful to its discipline without fear or favour. If al-Qaeda is suspected of plotting to sabotage the soccer festival, then it’s the function of the media to say so.