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Peter Jennings' Wonderland 12/10/2001 After Israel suffered a series of murderous terrorist attacks, for which Hamas claimed credit, Jennings referred to them simply as an "organization", avoiding use of the word "terrorist". During the same December 3 World News Tonight, he asked White House reporter Terry Moran, Does the Bush administration wish to restrain the Israelis at this point?" On Tuesday night, December 4, it was reported that President Bush had decided to freeze the assets of a Texas group, due to alleged fundraising activities for Hamas. Every other major TV news outlet - CBS, CNN, FNC, NBC - used the word "terrorist" in relation to Hamas. All except for ABC's Peter Jennings: "Today the Bush administration froze the financial assets and closed the offices of a major Muslim charity. The Texas-based Holy Land Foundation is accused of financing the militant Islamic group Hamas which claimed responsibility for last week's suicide attacks against Israelis. Federal agents raided several Holy Land offices around the country today." And again on December 4, Jennings portrayed Israel as the violent aggressor, starting with the teaser: "On World News Tonight, an explosion of violence in the Middle East. Palestinians dead and wounded after Israel attacks very close to the Palestinian leader." Then, as he started his newscast: "Good evening everyone. We're going to begin in the Middle East tonight where the U.S. has so much at stake. The Israelis have been on the attack again against the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The Israelis say they're trying to force Mr. Arafat to stop Palestinian terrorists who are killing Israelis. The Palestinians say they're making it impossible for him to do anything while his government is being attacked." Poor, poor Palestinians. From Peter Jennings standpoint, why bother to mention the series of suicide-bomber terrorist attacks that Hamas has carried out against the Israelis? Why mention that this dabbling in terrorism has instigated the current situation? Why can't the Israelis just be a little more patient? My guess is that Peter Jennings believes that if he avoids the word "terrorist", he will help raise the self-esteem of the Palestinians to the point where Hamas will no longer feel the need to strap bombs on young men and send them to blow themselves up on buses and in shopping malls. Don't hold your breath, Peter. Let's tell Peter Jennings what we think about his silly form of social work. Here is the contact information: ABC News World News Tonight Contact Page Owner of ABC: Read more here:
MRC CyberAlert, 12/04/2001, #1 When you feel your personal media bias tolerance gauge rising into the red zone, don't throw stuff at the TV screen! Send your suggestion to outrage@fairpress.org! Each week, one hideous example of media bias will be selected for closer examination. Hmmmmmm . . .
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