Is Arab world a 'victim' of western 'information technology'?
Countries' images in 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's 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 exacerbated by 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.
Right-wing forces in the West, which realised the role of the media, have exerted a monopoly over the media (60 per cent 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.
| Agreed with this description of the Arab press... and the New York Times, although possibly that's not what the editorialist intended. A neat demonstration about why it's important to be very clear about the subject when writing for publication. |
 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.
| Ah, but Israel does so democratically, including the votes of the 20% who are Arabs. |
The Arab world is a model victim of the age of information technology,
| So true. The Arab world had so much more freedom of speech before outsiders had access via the internet. |
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.
| Most of the world does not watch Arab-language television shows, so communicating the nation's causes to the rest of the world simply isn't going to happen. |
The problem has reached a degree where it has become difficult for outside observers of the Arab media
| That would be MEMRI and Camera. They're watching your shows to catch your lies. |
to have an actual assessment of Arab causes and their expected role in supporting these causes.
| Camera and MEMRI have their own assessment of Arab causes, so don't expect them to support you. |
For instance, these days the second anniversary of the brutal Israeli aggression in Gaza is marked, while the victims of that aggression are still homeless as a result of the continuing criminal Israeli blockade.
| I think I know where Sea of Fire Man went after he was fired by North Korea... |
Nevertheless, Arab media outlets have neither preoccupied themselves with the anniversary or exposed continuing Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza, Hebron, Negev, Lod and Nablus despite the growing support of people with free consciences in Turkey, Europe, Asia and South America who try to break this racist blockade.
| Both Israelis and Arabs are semites, as Arab speakers are so keen to note when accused of antisemitism. How then can racism be an issue? |
In this framework, the arrival of the Mavi Marmara ship in Istanbul port constituted a Palestinian event par excellence. The people of Istanbul rushed to meet the ship which had carried the martyrs of freedom, while Palestinian flags were waved everywhere.
| A prototypical Palestinian event, indeed. Palestinians and their supporters became casualties disproportionately more than their opponents, property was wasted and destroyed, and the goal was not accomplished. In other words, death, destruction, and failure are the Palestinian way. |
The exiled archbishop of occupied Jerusalem, Hilarion Capucchi, made a moving speech, particularly when he asserted his determination to see occupied Jerusalem in his lifetime and when people repeated Allahu Akbar after him in a scene in which all religious differences disappeared for the sake of gaining freedom and dignity for the Palestinian people.
Rebuttal: Squeal like a pig, Abdullah.
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