Arab Spring bias

Published on 06/08/2012 00:00

AS THE Arab Spring results in continuing bloodshed, questions must be asked about the western media and its role in reporting the events.

Concentrating on Syria, the media has clearly decided that Assad’s government has to go, irrespective of the abuses of the other side and in spite of not knowing who the other side actually is. Ask the question who is the “Free Syrian Army” and research tends to indicate that it is a number of militia groups, al-Qaeda and mercenaries from the Libyan War.

One clear example of this bias was the recent footage partially shown on the BBC – and available on the internet should you care to view it – of the massacre of Assad supporters (it is unclear whether they were police or militia). The phrase execution does not really do it justice as they were shot to pieces. As the West is supporting the FSA, you can rest assured they will not be called to account for their actions when the conflict finishes.

Most journalists are embedded with the Free Syrian Army and report what it wants. Russia and China are reported as the problem in not allowing the conflict to be resolved, but after the Libyan debacle can you blame them? The mandate to protect the Libyan people became the opportunity to bomb Gaddafi and gain revenge for his years of supporting terrorists. It was not protection but war. While no apologist for Assad’s murderous regime, the lack of balance in the reporting of the conflict is disturbing.

Stephen Humphries

Limeklins Road

Dunfermline, Fife