It is so that some journalist just cannot help themselves. They have the need to follow the trend of labelling people as Islamist terrorists and blaming them without the smallest proof of guilt. With awaiting the New Year 2008 the Czech newspaper “Mlada Fronta Dnes” published a calendar for 2008. This calendar was supposed to discuss what we can await in year 2008. Although Czech media do not bother to comment as much about the clashes of East and West as other Western media (e.g. media in the US or Great Britain), in this case Michal Musil opens the year 2008 with an article containing shocking and dangerous simplification.
Musil in his article “Co Přinese Rok 2008?” (What the Year 2008 brings?) follows a light humorous tone. First, he comments about happening in Czech Republic in other years ending with the number 8. Secondly, he follows with comments on international happening. Here comes the shocking comment. After mentioning the death of Benazir Bhutto (the Pakistani politician) he implies that she was killed by an “Islamist terrorist”. Musil continues by concluding that because “the Islamist terrorists may have their fingers in death of Benazir Bhutto” (“What the Year 2008 brings?” B1) the year 2008 may be year of further clashes between West and Islamist terrorists.
In my opinion, comments about such sensitive subject as problems between the West and East should not be part of any light toned article, Musil clearly did not research the whole event of death of Benazir Bhutto. He steps on a very thin ice and his article may help another scorning of Muslims by the Western society. Generally, media should use the cliché of “Islamist terrorist” very carefully or not at all. This is no place for simplifications. Further, just 4 or 3 days after the death of Benazir Bhutto no one is able to say who the killer was. There may be several theories.
Musil follows the trend of simplification of labelling people as “Islamist terrorists” and blaming someone for the death of Benazir Bhutto without the smallest proof. Writing about such topic should be part of a different genre than light toned New Year’s foretelling. Musil misses much needed research and still his article should not make such conclusions as: “it can be another series of clash between West and Islamist terrorists” (“What the Year 2008 brings?” B1). Every journalist should understand that constant blaming of Muslims and calling them “Islamist terrorists” does not help understanding between people. It is another case of inaccurate simplification.
Works citied
“What the Year 2008 brings?” MF Dnes. 31 Dec 2007. B1.
Nice one! It can be very disturbing to watch the reactions to common people in the west react to media portrayed propaganda. Its all about the western population generalizing a nation due to media corupted events. when they do this they only boast their ignorance on the subject. Well done. Greg
Comment by Greg Karasek — January 15, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I totally agree with you. I think that media are just trying to make a sensation form everything even if it is not appropriate. They have to bring this ‘juice’ to the story, however they do not realize that sometimes it can cause a serious harm to other people. Good point.
Comment by Martina — January 16, 2008 @ 3:49 pm