LAST week I wrote about how much of the media in the West is very quick to ferret out and report a story and equally eager to be first with the latest news and information for readers and viewers. I focused particularly on CNN and how its name has become a common household phrase. Indeed, “I saw it on CNN” has entered the lexicon to mean that something has been accurately and authoritatively reported.

Many readers appreciated the article while others naturally did not. Every one does not share the same views and opinions and we never expect them to. Those who did not appreciate the article say that many of the Western networks including CNN are anti-Arab and anti-Muslim. I respectfully beg to differ with them. I don’t believe the media is against anybody — especially the media in the West. It often reports the truth and the pictures painted by the truth are not always the most flattering. Many Arabs complain of — and attack — the BBC for being anti-Arab. I wonder if they have ever listened to BBC correspondents interviewing Israelis. Was it not the BBC that presented on Panorama the controversial documentary, “The Accused?” The program made no bones about depicting Ariel Sharon as a terrorist for his role in the massacres at Sabra and Shatilla — and raised other questions as well about his past deeds. This is hardly anti-Arab in content or conception. Was it not the BBC that informed the world of the gas attacks on Halabja by Saddam Hussein’s army of thugs and mercenaries?

I would certainly agree that the media in the West has its priorities — but so does the media everywhere. And in the West, there are those in the print media who take their stances against us. Such writers as Marty Peretz, George Will, Mortimer Zuckerman, William Safire and Charles Krauthamer can be depended upon never to say anything good about us Arabs, our culture or our religion. The poison and paranoia in their minds is reflected in their vitriolic writings and can easily be seen for what it is. Television, however, is another story. Most of the networks and TV stations are much more flexible and few stick to the same stance on any one topic. Circumstances alter cases and when the circumstances are reported, viewers may agree or disagree. In fact, if we look closely at America’s big three networks — CBS, ABC, NBC — we will find a degree of tolerance and compromise that is encouraging. There is a belief, admittedly not always followed, that both sides must be given a chance to explain.

Three days after the barbarous attacks of Sept. 11 on the WTC and the Pentagon, I was on CBS with Dan Rather, one of America’s most famous newsmen and also one of its most trusted reporters. Many different media organizations contacted us with questions and requests for information. Fortunately, I was able to refer them to Saudis who were capable of answering their questions and supplying information in a way that the questioner and the public would understand.

At such a critical and defining moment in history, it was of the utmost importance that we, as Muslims and nationals of this great country which God has blessed with the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, be able to play our role. And our role was — and still is to show that we are a peaceful God-fearing society whose goal is to live life as enjoined and directed by the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. We have to refute negative reporting in a cool, calm and collected manner, without emotion but with authority and fact. The time is not one for propaganda; there is far too much of that emanating from our enemies and detractors.

The Kingdom and its people have nothing to hide. We have only to paint a picture of life in the Kingdom for that to be clear to all. At the same time, the world should know the important contributions of Saudi Arabia to the Islamic Ummah and to civilization as a whole. The means for letting the world know is already present.

I feel sure that in our society, there are tens of young men and women who possess the talent and the ability to take their places on the platform of the international media and make a favorable impression on all who see and come in contact with them. These young people need not be from the media; a cross-section of young intelligent, well-informed Saudi Muslims from all levels of society will serve purpose better than anything from outside. Our job is to find and nurture these young people. The effort to do so should begin at once. We have no time to lose. — [email protected]