Jazeera shelves US border story after complaints

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N30554742.htm

Jazeera shelves US border story after complaints
30 Jun 2005 18:08:47 GMT

Source: Reuters

By Caroline Drees, Security Correspondent

WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) - The Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera has shelved a program on security along the U.S.-Mexican border, after accusations that it would provide tips to would-be terrorists.

"Al Jazeera's Washington bureau was considering a program because we felt it was of importance for our audience because it shed light on domestic politics, economic and security issues in the USA concerning the border," said Jihad Ballout, a spokesman for Al Jazeera, on Thursday.

Speaking from Al Jazeera's headquarters in Qatar, Ballout said "vigilante groups" had made it clear last week they would "resist" Al Jazeera's work on the story.

The program was put on ice after Arizona-based volunteer vigilantes who patrol the porous border for illegal immigrants likened al Jazeera's coverage plans to an "enemy reconnaissance mission" and complained to the state's congressional delegation and the Department of Homeland Security.

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[merwin]

1. Yeah, because if it's not on the news, terrorists don't know about it.

I'm pretty sure that if Al Jazeera was able to figure out whatever information is in that program then there's a pretty good chance that a terorist organization would be able to figure it out too.

[XemaSab]

3. I'm sure terrorists

know how to use google.

[merwin]

4. SHHH!!! Don't give them ideas!!

[XemaSab]

5. Here's the URL:

www.google.com

(for all the stupid terrorists who lurk on DU)

[ovidsen]

2. Shelving the obvious?

I can't imagine any program from al-Jazeera.. or the BBC or CNN for that matter... containing information that would tell aspiring US infiltrators anything that they couldn't find out somewhere else, or figure out for themselves using a little common sense.

If the "Minutemen" and other vigilante groups patrolling the US-Mexican border think supressing stories like these will result in a decrease in illegal border crossings, they are really, really dumb.

[PATRICK]

6. You mean like

the constant US news reports detailing(often with illustrations) the lack of security AND terrorist scenrios involving nuclear plants and ports?

What we really don't want is more pictures of our brown shirted clown vigilantes and be laughed at throughout the Islamic world.

[ovidsen]

7. Yeah, like that!

I'm sure the videos of our ever vigilant civilian border volunteers have left the world's Muslims frightened and confused.:sarcasm: