Since Sept. 11 and all that came after, it has become clear that our enemies have succeeded in manipulating the media to discredit the Kingdom, its people and its religion. Accusations that Saudis are terrorists or that they have aided terrorism continue to surface from everywhere. Wherever Saudis go, they are viewed with suspicion. Some countries have even put into practice strict conditions for Saudis who apply for visas. Terrorism is sadly nothing new but thanks to the media and modern telecommunications, it has taken a new shape. While American and other foreign media are working hard against this country, all we seem capable of is being on the defensive. This is emphatically not the way to counter hostile campaigns. Governments may be convinced that it is all media talk, but who will convince the man in the street?
When a bombing occurs in Israel, the Israeli media rushes to be there for live on-the-spot coverage. They don’t do it for the sake of the Palestinians but to further their own expansionist designs by telling the world how Israel is a helpless and vulnerable state. The same idea also applies everywhere else in the world. But our brothers in the Ministry of Culture and Information seem to be living on another planet and tend to forget that media and diplomacy these days walk hand in hand.
The explosions that rocked Riyadh were not something that happened unexpectedly or by chance. They represent a clear message to the entire world that terrorists will not hesitate to strike anywhere. They are not confined to Arabs or Muslims determined to strike America as many claim.
Where was our beloved television on that terrible night? People were seeking explanations. The public wanted to see someone reporting live from the scene, telling them exactly what had happened. But our television chose to absent itself and instead of doing what is required of TV in the 21st century, it kept running an Arabic drama!
At a time when explosions were rocking the Kingdom’s capital and terrorists were spreading death and destruction in the city, our beloved television continued with its usual programming! Why did we get no information from the Ministry of Culture and Information? Why is the Ministry of Culture and Information determined to do what it has been doing for decades? Waiting for official statements from responsible authorities? What good is a statement issued 18 hours after the event which tells us no more than the numbers of dead and their nationalities?
Our television should do what is required — and expected of any television station — which is rush to the scene to give live coverage of what they see, send a message to the whole world and let them know what terrorism is doing to us.
What happened in Riyadh was certainly not a secret and broadcasting from the scenes of the attacks would not have compromised our national security. On the contrary, a broadcast would have served the country. Had our TV broadcast events live, stations all over the world would have raced to quote it and we would have told the world, first hand, what was happening. Instead we who live in the Kingdom had to get information from outsiders.
Our television failed at an important time. Explosions will continue to take place everywhere, drawing people’s attention. People will soon forget the attacks in Riyadh. The foreign media will continue with their malicious campaigns against the Kingdom. When will our own media wake up?
Arab News From the Local Press 21 May 2003
