The Mysterious Case of the Vanishing World Tribunal on Iraq

Published in the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC's) Media Action, this article shares the insights of a United Kingdom (UK)-based media-watch project called Media Lens, which describes itself as "correcting for the distorted vision of the corporate media." David Cromwell, co-editor of Media Lens, here describes "a recent shift in media reporting." He points to a "palpable uneasiness amongst media professionals at the increasing rise of the 'blogosphere' and internet-based 'alternative' media sites." These websites are apparently stimulating discussion, and raising awareness, on the part of the global public about what Cromwell characterises as some distressing media silences.

Namely, to paint a picture of a trend Media Lens has detected in Western European media coverage, Cromwell argues that "virtually the entire British media ignored the deliberations of the World Tribunal on Iraq in Istanbul from June 24-27." (This tribunal, featuring the testimony of 54 advocates, explored numerous aspects of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Activist Walden Bello is quoted here as stating that the tribunal exposed the extent of "the western media's participation in the manipulation of public opinion".) For instance, "despite the copious evidence presented at the World Tribunal in Istanbul, the BBC maintains a stoic refusal to report US/UK atrocities and war crimes", thereby "protecting major war criminals in London and Washington." (When pressed by several Media Lens readers, who acted of their own volition to ask for an explanation of the silence, BBC news director Helen Boaden replied, "We've covered the issues discussed many times and will continue do so, though we did not cover this - not least for logistical reasons.")

Thus, instead of open communication, Cromwell and his colleagues perceive an increasing "blanket of almost total media silence" with regard to "Bush and Blair's crimes in Iraq". To buck the trend, Cromwell urges citizens worldwide to continue to draw on weblogs and other interactive measures to sustain public dialogue, and to take concrete action, by emailing BBC and other members of the media to inquire about the silence (names and email addresses are provided within the article).