Censorship in Times of War
Truth is always the first casualty of war. The western Media clearly indulges in self censorship. Al-Jazeera’s office in Kabul was bombed immediately after the news-station had broadcast graphic pictures of Afghan civilians killed by US bombs. Western countries pay lip service to freedom of speech, yet their respective Medias are forced to toe the official government line in times of war. The BBC, for example, claims to be “free from both political and commercial influence and answers only to its viewers and listeners" in its Royal Charter, yet was the primary source of (mis)information regarding the mythical WMD as well as the fictitious Ricin plot. [2]

Western Hypocrisy and Free Speech
The West is notorious for lecturing others about values which they themselves do not adhere to when it suits their agenda. The Right Reverend Rowan Williams’ recent comments on shari’ah were not supported as freedom of speech; the comments provoked an outcry in the UK. Senior MP's demanded his removal as leader of the Church of England. Hardly the mind-set of a liberal society!

The tabloids – and even more “respectable” papers – incite unconcealed bigotry towards Islaam and its followers, whilst admonishing the rest of the world about the need for "moderation" and tolerance with respect to western values. The media shows clear double-standards when reporting crimes perpetrated by Muslims as compared to ones by non-Muslims. For instance the BBC’s reference to a husband who tried to feed his pregnant wife abortion pills being an Israeli-born man was mysteriously edited to remove all mention of his nationality [3], [4]. No newspaper would dare to write “Jewish husband tries to kill unborn child”. In contrast, a story about a Pakistani man who murdered his family carries the headline: “Muslim husband who killed his wife and children because of their Western ways.” He was reportedly a heavy drinker. Nevertheless he was still described as a ‘devout Muslim’ in the press. Similarly, the media expressed outrage [5] when a ‘Muslim Fun day’ at Alton Towers was booked.
‘Gay day’ [6] booked for a few weeks later barely warranted a mention.

Footnotes
[2] Ricin Find 'Very Significant' (BBC)
[3] ‘Abortion tablets in wife's food' (BBC's original version)
[4] BBC's edited version
[5] Britain’s Muslims at Alton Towers (Spectator Magazine)
[6] Gaydars Day

1 2 3 4