tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post6511452707542518621..comments2023-07-04T14:30:51.013+03:00Comments on Religion and Politics in Bahrain: Winning the Battle, Losing the (Media) War: Al-Wasat EditionJustin Genglerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-2678446100395295752011-04-03T21:01:18.237+03:002011-04-03T21:01:18.237+03:00Even if a rogue writer did manage to insert 5 - 6 ...Even if a rogue writer did manage to insert 5 - 6 bogus stories in a matter of 5 days, it just goes to prove that the editors were not checking their facts. This questions the credibility of the "news" coming out of this publication. If a rogue writer can fill the paper with false articles, then so can a writer trying to maximize anti-government sentiment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-13011060604319100282011-04-03T16:49:33.044+03:002011-04-03T16:49:33.044+03:00@Anonymous: the rogue writer theory seems to be th...@Anonymous: the rogue writer theory seems to be the argument of al-Jamri:<br /><br />"'They (the authorities) say someone was working with them, so maybe something was planted so they could come back at us. All we can say is we never intended to fabricate news,' Mr al-Jamri said."<br /><br />http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6b5999de-5de7-11e0-b1d8-00144feab49a.htmlJustin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-15150266046500902542011-04-03T14:52:49.938+03:002011-04-03T14:52:49.938+03:00I'll change it to government-affiliated. How a...I'll change it to government-affiliated. How about that?Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-54995079351017846092011-04-03T14:51:27.391+03:002011-04-03T14:51:27.391+03:00I'm aware of the vagueries surrounding the ult...I'm aware of the vagueries surrounding the ultimate ownership of Akhbar al-Khalij. Hence my parenthetical qualification "supposedly."Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-76848345035433699192011-04-03T14:44:14.350+03:002011-04-03T14:44:14.350+03:00For your info, neither of Akhbar Al Khaleej or Gul...For your info, neither of Akhbar Al Khaleej or Gulf Daily News are govt-owned.<br />Another failed attempt of anti-state elements twisting the truth!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-56193873803490481102011-04-03T12:38:42.626+03:002011-04-03T12:38:42.626+03:00I left out one bit of detail from my comments abov...I left out one bit of detail from my comments above, the speed of this "investigation" and unravelling the facts is quite phenomenal- lends support to the injection or rogue writer theory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-78392919992817924172011-04-03T12:17:26.511+03:002011-04-03T12:17:26.511+03:00I'm truly shocked about this, let's look a...I'm truly shocked about this, let's look at incentives and motivations:<br /><br />1. The government clearly gains by shutting down Al Wasat, especially in this manner where they are found guilty of unethical behaviour as it shamshes the credibility of the newspaper and the opposition altogether, and makes foreign media doubtful quoting opposition sources from now on. Al Wasat still operating has raised a lot of questions from hawks, if Iran involved, foreign plot, etc.. Why are they still printing? This is laid to rest now. <br /><br />2. Al Wasat doesn't gain anything publishing fake news and it knows it's carefuly being monitored so I would think the editor-in-chief is carefuly reviewing everything. How can this happen then? There are so many cases of abuses that newspaper doesnt need to fabricate. Furthermore, the actual fake and plagirised news articles that were published aren't something you would risk your reputation on because they're not that "inflammatory" , juicy, or "worth forging". Also note, you don't see foreign media quoting from Al wasat much anyway. <br /><br />So again, why? If the accusation by the gov is true: the paper wanted to inflame further anger in the opposition, then they can do this much more effectively in social media (and can be untraceable)- why actually print it in their papers!? It's just plain dumb.<br /><br />This can lead to the following conclusions:<br /><br />1. A rogue writer decided to write these articles - would be intersting to see if it was all the same author. <br /><br />2. These articles were injected by the gov (I know sounds like conspiracy theory, but with what BTV has been doing, this shouldnt be that alarming). Again, how can you shut a newspaper down and escape international pressure? This is the perfect way.<br /><br />In the case of rogue writer, the question would be did they intentionally do it or were they pressured to do it? <br /><br />Now effectively the state controls all media internally (by also cracking down on bloggers) and can externally control foreign media by regulating visas and monitoring their activity (as we saw in the CNN crew being arrested a few days ago). This is also a good way to polish BTV's tainted reputation and take away some of the dirt it's being getting.<br /><br />I'm not ruling out the paper was malicious - but for whatever objectives it wanted to achieve, it could'be done this with social media. I cannot help but draw a parallel between this and 2connect as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-29888224209302751842011-04-03T12:11:59.947+03:002011-04-03T12:11:59.947+03:00Alright let's keep it civil if we can.Alright let's keep it civil if we can.Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-38121181450347008722011-04-03T12:04:29.985+03:002011-04-03T12:04:29.985+03:00I think we've seen this coming. It's just ...I think we've seen this coming. It's just another indication to how much illegitimate this government is! I am surprised that some of the AlKalifas are UK and US educated. Obviously, they've learnt nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-1458204308858927372011-04-03T09:17:50.340+03:002011-04-03T09:17:50.340+03:00That I cannot answer. But what better way to find...That I cannot answer. But what better way to find out than a drawn-out, highly-politicized court case?Justin Genglerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07926253352423304711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8391958287808959571.post-31409826867195133692011-04-03T09:05:19.745+03:002011-04-03T09:05:19.745+03:00I'm interested in the allegations they made. W...I'm interested in the allegations they made. Were the articles actually plagiarized? Obviously even if they were it doesn't mean the paper should be shut down - the New York Times and Washington Post have both had plagiarism scandals recently - but it's an interesting question nevertheless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com