Terror Rules at NPR

IMRA ^ | 3-10-03

[SJackson]

On CAMERA: Terror Rules at NPR
On CAMERA Column March 10, 2003

by Alex Safian

An Islamic extremist explodes a bomb amidst a crowd of civilians on March 4th, killing more than 20, including himself. Less than a day later another Islamic extremist explodes a bomb on a civilian bus, killing more than 15, including himself.

Parallel stories, but not covered in a parallel way on National Public Radio. In consecutive news segments on the March 5th broadcast of NPR's Morning Edition, the first attack was described as a "terrorist bombing," with "Muslim insurgents" the likely perpetrators. The report offered no explanation why the attack might have occurred, and in particular nothing that might have been construed as justification.

The second attack was reported without using any form of the word terror, and included nothing about who the likely perpetrators might have been, describing them only as "militants." Moreover, the attack, and similar attacks in the past, were implicitly justified as a "campaign against ... occupation."

Why the gross disparity, with straight news reporting in the first case, and clear advocacy in the second? Of course, the answer is that the first attack was in the Philippines, and was carried out by the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front, while the second attack was in Israel, targeted Israeli civilians, and was carried out by Palestinians.

Because Palestinians are virtually a protected class at NPR, the perpetrators of the attack in Israel are described not as Islamic extremists, or Muslims, or even Palestinians, but as "militants," who are said to be pursuing a "campaign against Israeli occupation." The fact that Hamas, which carried out the attack, considers all of Israel to be "occupied" was not deemed worthy of mention by NPR, nor the fact that the Palestinians had rejected at Camp David and Taba Israeli offers to end anything that could reasonably be called an "occupation."

NPR's March 5th news report is yet one more example of the truism that at NPR facts take a back seat to a European-style anti-Israel agenda which is pursued with an almost religious fervor.

Transcript of NPR's March 5th news at 8 AM on Morning Edition:

Newsreader Nora Raum

RAUM: ... The president of the Philippines today ruled out any combat role for US soldiers in her country, as the Philippines fight Muslim insurgents. Yesterday a terrorist bombing killed 21 people including an American missionary; more than a hundred people were wounded.

A bus exploded in northern Israel today. Police and witnesses in the city of Haifa say at least five people were killed and several were injured. Militants have carried out a series of suicide bombings as part of their campaign against Israeli occupation. This is NPR news.

** end transcript

***********

Alex Safian, PhD, is Associate Director of CAMERA www.camera.org

[SJackson]

CAMERA

March 9, 2003

by Deborah Passner

Chicago Tribune Headlines (June-December 2002)

Below is a complete list of Chicago Tribune headlines about the Arab-Israeli conflict relevant to the study reported in the Winter 2003 CAMERA Media Report .

The analysis considered all Chicago Tribune headlines that related to Israelis or Palestinians taking, or threatening to take action against the other party during the period of June1, 2002-December 31, 2002.

The results reveal that when the Chicago Tribune reported Israeli actions, Israel was regularly named in the headline 78% of the time. By contrast, when the newspaper detailed Palestinian actions directed against Israel, they were identified in only 19% of the headlines.

For the full study, see the Winter 2003 CAMERA Media Report (Vol. 12, No.1)

Chicago Tribune Headlines

June 1, 2002 -December 31, 2002

	Palestinians taking action and identified
July 2:	Palestinians protest leaders; Hamas threatens revenge for killing of bombmaker
July 24:	Palestinians vow to avenge killings; UN, EU condemn Israel after raid
July 30:	Palestinians defy 40-day curfew; Nablus governor urges others to break from jail
Aug. 10:	Hamas to target top Israelis
Aug. 15:	Fatah leader stirs up courtroom; 'Intifada will win,' he proclaims as Israel lists charges
Sept. 6:	Palestinians break lull with attacks; Israel finds truck with huge bomb
Sept. 16:	Palestinians protest new checkpoint in Nablus
Sept. 28:	Israel says bombmaker survived air attack; Hamas pledges reprisal for strike
Sept. 29:	Palestinians defy curfews; 2nd anniversary of uprising feted
Nov. 16:	12 Israelis die in Hebron attack; Palestinian ambush targets settlers, soldiers in divided West Bank city
Dec. 29:	Hamas founder vows more violence as 4 Israelis are slain

	Israelis taking action and identified
June 2:	Israeli troops search for Palestinian suspects in Nablus
June 2:	Israelis search 4 cities; Palestinians held for questioning
June 5:	CIA chief presses Arafat on curbing suicide attacks; Sharon OKs fence along West Bank
June 6:	Israel strikes at Arafat after bombing kills 17; Military move into compound follows suicide attack on bus
June 7:	2nd Israeli assault leaves more rubble around Arafat
June 10:	Arafat trims Cabinet, names new ministers; Israeli soldiers re-enter Ramallah
June 13:	Israel recalls troops from Arafat's compound
June 15:	Israelis seeking vengeance; 2 accused in bomb plot near school
June 16:	Israeli army sweeps West Bank cities; Mideast officials await Bush plan
June 17:	Israel begins work on electrified fence along West Bank; Planned 215-mile divide stirs debate
June 19:	20 die in blast; Israel vows to retake West Bank lands; Sharon visits bus bomb site
June 19:	Israel ties W. Bank action to attacks
June 22:	Israeli tank fire kills 4 in Jenin; 3 children among the fatalities in curfew 'disaster'
June 23:	Israeli troops mass in West Bank; 'Decisive, crushing' response planned
June 23:	Israeli troops pour into W. Bank; Violence doesn't recede as 10 killed
June 24:	Israeli incursion widens; Tanks surround Arafat compound, troops return to Palestinian cities
June 25:	Tanks return to Hebron; Israeli gun ships key on Hamas; 2 leaders killed
June 28:	Israelis hit Hebron complex; Assault intensifies inside West Bank
June 29:	Israelis set off blast at compound in standoff
June 30:	Israel finds no bodies of gunmen; Those targeted in demolition may have gotten away
June 30:	Israeli blasts reduce building to rubble in standoff
July 1:	Israeli troops kill bombmaker blamed for deadly attacks
July 5:	Top militants jailed or dead, Israel claims; Gaza explosion kills 2 men in car
July 6:	Israel moves to containment, control; Defeating militants seen as unrealistic
July 7:	Israeli general ties West Bank pullout to Arafat ouster
July 10:	Israeli police raid offices of Palestinian university
July 12:	Israelis target tunnels, raze Gaza homes
July 12:	Israel to try prominent Palestinian
July 13:	Israel negotiating a deal to swap Palestinian leader
July 20:	Israel intends to deport suicide bombers' kin
July 22:	Israel makes offer to lift siege; No new violence could ease limits in West Bank
July 23:	Israeli strike kills at least 12 in Gaza; Targeted Hamas chief among dead
July 24:	Palestinians vow to avenge killings; UN, EU condemn Israel after raid
July 24:	U.S. splits with Israel on bloody air strike; 'Heavy-handed' act killed 9 kids
July 25:	Storm of criticism follows air strike; Israel promises to ease its grip on Palestinians
July 29:	Hebron clash during funeral kills girl, 14; West Bank settlers fight Palestinians
July 31:	Palestinians short of food and jobs; Israeli clampdown sparking self-help
Aug. 2:	Israel hits Nablus in wake of deadly campus bombing
Aug. 3:	Israeli army raids Nablus; dozens held; Search uncovers 2 explosive labs, officials announce
Aug. 3:	Israel says deadly attack was mistake
Aug. 4:	Israelis comb Nablus for suspects
Aug. 4:	Israel presses searches in Nablus; High-level talks expected this week
Aug. 6:	Israel cracks down in wake of attacks; Missiles fired into Gaza City after shootings, bombings
Aug. 7:	Israeli forces hit houses in Gaza; court Oks firing on homes linked to alleged bombers
Aug. 8:	Israeli pullout accord falls through; Terms changed, Palestinians say
Aug. 14:	Key Palestinian in Israeli court; Murder trial set for Fatah leader
Aug. 15:	Fatah leader stirs up courtroom; 'Intifada will win,' he proclaims as Israel lists charges
Aug. 19:	Israelis pushing expulsion policy; Officials try to tear up support for militant acts
Aug. 19:	Israel OKs trial troop withdrawal; Deal includes Gaza, Bethlehem
Aug. 20:	Israelis begin withdrawal in Bethlehem; Palestinian forces take over security
Aug. 22:	5 arrested in campus attack; Israel links group to 35 bomb deaths
Aug. 23:	Israel interrogates unorthodox bishop; Palestinian priest asked about ties to terrorists, trips
Aug. 26:	Israel's proposed pullout is stalled
Aug. 28:	Israeli tanks reportedly enter town in Gaza
Aug. 30:	Israel says it regrets deaths of 4 civilians
Sept. 1:	5 killed in Israeli helicopter strike; Gunman wounds 2 at religious school
Sept. 3:	Arafat can't return if he leaves, Israeli leader says
Sept. 4:	Israeli court OKs tactic of expelling suspects' kin
Sept. 5:	Israeli army expels militant's West Bank siblings to Gaza
Sept. 8:	Israel arrests militant in Gaza
Sept. 21:	Israel levels Arafat compound; Military acts after suicide bombings; Palestinian leader, advisers trapped
Sept. 22:	Arafat in vise as Israelis raze compound; U.S., EU issue calls for restraint
Sept. 22:	Israel keeps up its assault on compound; Military demands surrender of 50
Sept. 23:	Israel halts razing at Arafat complex, but troops remain
Sept. 24:	9 Palestinians die as Israel hits Gaza
Sept. 25:	Israel defies UN demand to pull back; U.S. expresses growing concern
Sept. 27:	Israel targets Hamas official; Militant reportedly survives attack
Sept. 28:	Israel says bombmaker survived air attack; Hamas pledges reprisal for strike
Sept. 30:	Israel lifts 10-day siege of Arafat; Sharon gives in to U.S. pressure
Oct. 1:	Sharon gets heat on Arafat siege; Assault described as worst decision of premiership
Oct. 2:	Israel keeps its presence in Ramallah; Arafat resumes Cabinet meetings
Oct. 4:	Israel's plan for expelling Arafat set; Army has scouted foreign location, practiced capture
Oct. 5:	Stray Israeli bullet kills teenager in West Bank
Oct. 7:	Israeli air strike kills 4 in Gaza Strip
Oct. 7:	Israeli missile, troops kill 10 in Gaza
Oct. 8:	Israel defends strike in Gaza
Oct. 9:	Sharon vows more raids in Gaza Strip
Oct. 16:	Israel hints at leaving a 2nd city in West Bank
Oct. 18:	6 Palestinians die in tank shelling; Israel: Gunmen use civilian shields
Oct. 19:	Israeli troops pull back from Jenin
Oct. 23:	Israel holds fire in reply to bus blast; U.S. given chance to push plan for Palestinian state
Oct. 26:	Israeli troops hunt militants in Jenin
Nov. 10:	Islamic Jihad leader killed; Israeli soldiers end search for suspect in bus bombings
Nov. 11:	Gunman kills 5 at kibbutz near border; Israel ends 2-week blockade of Jenin
Nov. 12:	Israel warns of 'definitive' reaction; Tanks enter camp in aftermath of attack on kibbutz
Nov. 13:	Israeli tanks enter Nablus; missiles strike Gaza target
Nov. 14:	Israel arrests 4 suspects in Gaza; Official vows long campaign after kibbutz shootings
Nov. 15:	3 Suspects held in kibbutz attack; Israelis capture alleged plot leader
Nov. 18:	Israeli forces target Gaza security center
Nov. 23:	Lockdown grips Bethlehem; Israelis clamp down in W. Bank after bus attack
Nov. 20:	5 killed as Israeli troops sweep town
Nov. 27:	2 West Bank militants killed; Israeli missile strike blamed
Nov. 27:	Israelis kill 2 key Palestinians
Nov. 30:	Israel swiftly acts after deadly attacks; Troops demolish houses; officials study Kenya blast
Dec. 1:	Palestinian youth killed; Israeli tanks move on town
Dec. 3:	Dozens injured in clashes with Israeli army; 2 Palestinian teens killed in W. Bank
Dec. 4:	Israeli soldier kills woman, 95, in taxi van skirting checkpoint
Dec. 5:	Militant killed in Israeli attack; Palestinian called lead bombmaker
Dec. 7:	10 killed in Israeli hunt for militant; Dead include 2 UN employees
Dec. 10:	3 Palestinians slain by Israeli soldiers
Dec. 11:	Israelis kill suspected militant, round up 25 in Gaza
Dec. 23:	Palestinian elections are put on hold; Leadership cites Israeli occupation
Dec. 27:	Lull ends as Israel troops kill 6 in West Bank raids
Dec. 28:	Jewish school raid ends with 6 deaths; Israeli army holds car-bomb suspect
Dec. 29:	Israel blamed for death of 9-year-old in Gaza Strip

	Palestinians taking action but not identified
June 5:	Car bomb near Israeli bus kills at least 14, injures 45; CIA chief presses Arafat on curbing suicide attacks; Sharon Oks fence along West Bank
June 6:	Israel strikes at Arafat after bombing kills 17; Military move into compound follows suicide attack on bus
June 8:	Gunmen enter settlement, slay 3 in West Bank
June 12:	Suicide bomber kills teen, injures 11; Arafat regime condemns attack
June 16:	Palestinian, 2 Israelis die in Gaza clash
June 18:	Suicide bombing kills 14 in Jerusalem
June 18:	Bomber blows up near disputed West Bank border fence
June 19:	20 die in blast; Israel vows to retake West Bank lands; Sharon visits bus bomb site
June 20:	Bomb kills 8 in Jerusalem; Attack is 2nd in 2 days; troops move in W. Bank
June 20:	Bombings delay unveiling of Bush's Mideast initiative
June 21:	Settlers slain in attack; Palestinians rounded up
July 1:	Israeli troops kill bombmaker blamed for deadly attacks
July 11:	Army officer, Palestinian die in separate shootings
July 17:	7 Israelis die in West Bank bus attack
July 18:	Tandem bombers strike in Tel Aviv; Blast is 1st in Israel since crackdown
July 26:	Rabbi dies in roadside attack near settlement
July 27:	4 settlers slain in the West Bank
July 31:	Jerusalem blast kills suicide bomber, 17
Aug. 1:	Hunger for food, normalcy drives Nablus to defy curfew
Aug. 1:	7 die in Israeli campus attack; At least 80 hurt; 3 Americans are among the dead
Aug. 4:	Bomb explodes on bus in Israel
Aug. 5:	Wave of attacks stuns Israel; at least 13 dead
Sept. 1:	5 killed in Israeli helicopter strike; Gunman wounds 2 at religious school
Sept. 2:	Gaza attack dealt blow to security plan; Move toward peace effectively scuttled
Sept. 7:	Israel on High Alert at Holy Days; Foiled bombing spurs attack fears
Sept. 19:	Bomb breaks 6-week calm ; Police officer killed in northern Israel
Oct. 11:	Bus driver, medic pin bomber as passengers flee; Suicide attacker slips while trying to get on; woman dies
Oct. 12:	Bomber seized near embassy in Tel Aviv; Arafat backers protest Hamas
Oct. 22:	14 die in Israel blast; Explosives-laden SUV triggers bus inferno
Oct. 28:	Suicide bomber kills 3; Troops kill 2
Oct. 28:	West Bank bomb kills 3 Israelis; Device explodes in struggle with suicide attacker
Nov. 3:	Israeli hawk accepts defense minister post; Suicide bombing reportedly foiled
Nov. 5:	Latest suicide bombing kills 3; Sharon tries to stabilize coalition
Nov. 7:	Gunman kills 2 Israelis, is shot dead
Nov. 11:	Gunman kills 5 at kibbutz near border; Israel ends 2-week blockade of Jenin
Nov. 17:	Gunmen targeted troops, not settlers; Worshipers unhurt in W. Bank; curfew imposed in Hebron
Nov. 17:	Palestinians held in wake of ambush; UN chief deplores killings of 12 Jews
Nov. 21:	Bus bombing kills 11 in Jerusalem
Nov. 22:	Life, death just a bus seat away; Attack raises stakes for Israeli hawks
Nov. 22:	Suicide bomber on bus claims 11 lives
Nov. 23:	Lockdown grips Bethlehem; Israelis clamp down in W. Bank after bus attack
Nov. 29:	Attacks mar primary win for Sharon
Nov. 29:	Shooting overshadows Sharon win
Dec. 9:	Palestinian woman killed, 3 kids injured; 4 Israeli soldiers wounded by bombs
Dec. 17:	7 Arabs, 2 Jews slain; court clears Fatah leader for trial
Dec. 18:	Israelis attacked near site of shooting
Dec. 28:	Jewish school raid ends with 6 deaths; Israeli army holds car-bomb suspect
Dec. 30:	Deadly attack shakes settlement; West Bank group disdained fences

	Israelis taking action but not identified
June 11:	Siege of Arafat compound delays changes
June 16:	Gaza workers idled by checkpoints; Crackdown keeps many Palestinians from reaching jobs
June 16:	Palestinian, 2 Israelis die in Gaza clash
June 20:	Bomb kills 8 in Jerusalem; Attack is 2nd in 2 days; troops move in W. Bank
June 21:	Settlers slain in attack; Palestinians rounded up
June 24:	West Bank city feels full trauma of new occupation; Jenin residents decry 'revenge'
July 2:	Palestinians protest leaders; Hamas threatens revenge for killing of bombmaker
July 11:	Army officer, Palestinian die in separate shootings
July 15:	F-16 attack oddly does Hamas wish
Aug 25:	Militant slain, 2 wounded in West Bank
Aug. 29:	Shelling in Gaza kills 4 Bedouin; Israel-Palestinian meeting canceled
Sept. 3:	High court OKs expulsion of terror suspects' kin
Sept. 14:	3 Palestinians die as blast destroys home
Sept. 18:	Bomb rattles Palestinian school; Explosion occurs as talks held on provisional state
Sept. 20:	Tanks surround Arafat again; 19 sought after Tel Aviv bombing
Oct. 1:	2 boys killed in West Bank city
Oct. 14:	Phone explodes, militant dies
Oct. 23:	W. Bank farmers reap sad harvest; Plentiful olive crop marred by clashes with army, settlers
Oct. 27:	Troops hunt Jenin suspects; boy, 13, killed in Gaza clash
Oct. 28:	Suicide bomber kills 3; Troops kill 2
Nov. 3:	Border cops resume use of attack dogs
Nov. 17:	Gunmen targeted troops, not settlers; Worshipers unhurt in W. Bank; curfew imposed in Hebron
Nov. 17:	Palestinians held in wake of ambush; UN chief deplores killings of 12 Jews
Nov. 26:	Soldiers kill boy in clash at Nablus
Dec. 8:	Troops stop bomber, kill terror suspect
Dec. 9:	Palestinian woman killed, 3 kids injured; 4 Israeli soldiers wounded by bombs
Dec. 16:	Arafat distances self, cause from Al Qaeda; Palestinian leader banned again from Bethlehem visit
Dec. 17:	7 Arabs, 2 Jews slain; court clears Fatah leader for trial
Dec. 26:	Troops kill 2 Palestinian gunmen
Dec. 26:	West Bank barrier cuts off farmers; Fence carves up Palestinian land

[evad]

I have a young lady friend who works for NPR as a field reporter.

I'm going to send this to her and ask her to "expose" all the lies in this article and set the record straight...
..hehe ;-)

[aristeides]

Is Steve Emerson still persona non grata at NPR?

How has NPR been reporting the Sami al-Arian story?

[Diogenesis]

NPR = NeoPalestinian Radio - another voice of terrorists

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[evad]

Is Steve Emerson still persona non grata at NPR?
How has NPR been reporting the Sami al-Arian story?

NPR = NeoPalestinian Radio - another voice of terrorists

I will forward your questions and opinions to her..
the reply should be interesting.

[Valin]

I'm going to send this to her and ask her to "expose" all the lies in this article and set the record straight...


Should I hold my breath waiting for the report on "All Things Considered"?

[anotherview]

My local NPR station keeps begging for money as always, and sending me envelopes even though I haven't pledged any money. My notes explaining why I don't support NPR go ignored. Perhaps they have an agenda and simply don't care what someone who supports Israel thinks.

At least when I go back to Israel I won't have to deal with this. I can still to listen to All Things Considered via shortwave. Oh well... I guess I have a massochistic streak.

[evad]

Should I hold my breath waiting for the report on "All Things Considered"?

Nah..she doesn't do that part of the show.
And it should be "All things LIBERAL considered".