Innocent Mistakes A Controversial Film Finds Journalism Caught Between Image and Reality INNOCENT MISTAKES

About the authors: Danica Ilic is web editor for Media Diversity Institute and a freelance journalist with the BBC World Service Anser Hassan is an American journalist currently completing a masters degree at the London School of Economics Kamal Siddiqi is Editor of the Pakistan English daily newspaper Express-Tribune Beatrice White is a journalist and desk editor with Hürriyet Daily News in Istanbul

Editor: Aidan White Design: Milos Petrov

Published by EJN, May 14th 2013. CONTENTS

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

UNITED STATES: FOCUS ON THE FOREIGN ANGLE Anser Hassan

UNITED STATES: MEDIA BIAS AND THE ANTI-ISLAM MESSAGE Danica Ilic

UNITED KINGDOM: MEDIA CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE Danica Ilic

PAKISTAN: POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND TWO FACES OF MEDIA Kamal Siddiqi

TURKEY: LIMITED PROTEST AND RAGING DEBATE Beatrice White

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS INNOCENT MISTAKES

Summary This report reviews media coverage of the Innocence of Muslims, a short film trailer produced by a religious activist and distributed over the Internet, which became the spark for protest and violence across the globe and leading to at least 75 deaths.

Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from 4 SUMMARY

The film was, by all accounts, a low- for instance, some politicians openly Many responsible budget and amateurish production encouraged violence and endorsed media sought yet it was given enormous publicity the provocative hate speech found in balance in their and was used to reinforce deep some sections of media. reporting and tried divisions between western and to correct their Muslim religious cultures. This report, based upon extensive errors, but many interviews with journalists, academics more did not. Coverage of the film has raised and media leaders, is narrowly focused concerns about the influence of and looks at coverage of the film deeply-embedded stereotypes in in a number of sample countries - media reporting. In this case editorial the United States, United Kingdom, failings, albeit inadvertently, may Pakistan and Turkey - all of them have reinforced prejudice and places where terrorism and religious misunderstanding. extremism has left its mark.

The report highlights major editorial The report concludes that: mistakes including failure to establish the truth about the film’s origins; the • Online media and social networks uncorrected circulation of false infor- reinforced the impact of media mation about the film; a lamentable mistakes and played a significant role lack of reporting of voices calling for in circulating false information in the peaceful and non-violent protest; first days of the crisis. Although there and a general failure to provide were many instances of restraint context which explained the reasons and caution, both online and offline, for violence and who was behind it. there was a general failure to correct these damaging initial impressions; Many responsible media sought balance in their reporting and tried • Additionally, in the United States to correct their errors, but many more and the United Kingdom, media did not. In some countries, Pakistan may have exaggerated the strength

5 INNOCENT MISTAKES

of feeling in response to the film in • Create a global databank of the Muslim community. Media in media best practices to help both countries struggled to provide journalists avoid hate speech and to balance in their coverage and failed strengthen levels of professionalism; to provide adequate context to explain the origins of violence; • Establish a specific reporting process that will monitor media in • In Pakistan religious parties and key countries and report annually on extremists dominated the news coverage of incidents of hate speech agenda of mass circulation, local- or acts of false, provocative or uneth- language media while moderate ical journalism particularly in the field Muslim voices in the mainstream of reporting religious affairs or relations were largely marginalized. between different communities;

At the same time, senior political • Promote more debate within figures supported actions designed journalism and the wider community to encourage protest and to incite on the need to raise awareness on violence. the dangers of hate speech arising from use of online communications • In Turkey media were largely and social networks; uncritical as government leaders sought to use the controversy to • Encourage more research into build a platform for launching an aspects of media performance that international campaign to strengthen have raised concern in this case laws of blasphemy. including verification of potentially inflammatory information prior to The report also highlights research publication; publication of corrections that shows how minority religious and clarifications of false information; or activist groups from the fringes use of extremist and minority voices; of politics receive disproportionate and the need for media to use more attention in American media. representative and relevant sources to achieve context, balance and It concludes with some recommen- impartiality. dations for raising awareness within media on the dangers of hate speech including proposals to:

6 SUMMARY

Finally, although this report is not Above all, it illustrates how journalism exhaustive it highlights failings in must be alert to the dangers of hate media coverage of this controversial speech and the casual manipulation film that should be troubling for of media by unscrupulous political journalists everywhere. It points to groups. the need for accuracy and context in the reporting and analysis of events when they have an impact on the Aidan White fragile relations between different Director

cultures and communities. Ethical Journalism Network

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S h u t t e r s t o c k . c o m ) INNOCENT MISTAKES

Background The film Innocence of Muslims came to prominence in July 2012 when it was uploaded to YouTube, the video file-sharing website. Arabic language versions, this time with anti-Islamic content, were added in the first days of September 2012, with post-production dubbing which changed the original dialogue without the actors’ knowledge.1 Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from BACKGROUND

The video focused on the persecution blasphemy and became the subject of the Christian Copt community of incendiary comment. It led to in Egypt, with claims of a rise in the issuing of Fatwas - Islamic legal growing religious intolerance and rulings, often misinterpreted as death sectarian violence from the Muslim sentences - against the video’s majority against the Christian group participants and, famously, to one which makes up 10% of the Egyptian government minister in Pakistan population. offering a bounty for the death of the producer. The film was perceived as denigrating Islam and the prophet Mohammed The film was particularly controversial and its Arabic version led to wide- because it was linked with claims spread protests around September 11 reported by leading media such as - the 11th anniversary of the terrorist the Associated Press that it had been attacks on Washington and New financed by 100 Jewish investors. This York - particularly in Egypt, but also report first appeared on September in many other Muslim nations and in 12th 2012. An extensive correction some western countries. was issued two days later.

One of those protests, in Benghazi, While the film was eventually revealed was used as a cover by armed terror- to be the work of a Coptic Christian ists for an attack on the American of Egyptian origins, the myth that mission in Libya and the killing of Jews produced and financed the film United States Ambassador J. Chris- in an effort to insult the Prophet topher Stevens and three of his staff. Mohammed and Islam had gone viral. In all, the protests led to hundreds of It provided a spark that militants and injuries and more than 75 deaths. extremist groups used to give fresh momentum to anti-western sentiment The film sparked new debates about across much of the Middle East and free speech, internet censorship and the Islamic world.

1 See http://www.youtube.com/verify_controversy?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DUDd6bine9io The film is 13 minutes long and a trailer for a longer film that has never been completed or shown. 9

INNOCENT MISTAKES

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The man responsible was Mark American. He later admitted the film i t

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Basseley Youssef, alias Nakoula cost between $50,000 and $60,000 i to insult, provoke e m

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, a 2 0 w broke Youssef was sent to prison by production, it was nothing of the sort. 1 a on both sides of l 2 l . o (A f the febrile religious an American court but not for any The video itself was widely derided P th P e h U offence related to the film. He was as amateurish and unworthy of any o .S divide. to . / C A o jailed for a year because of violation serious consideration as a work of ru n n su S l h at a e of his probation arising from an earlier creative value. nk du e ri r K ng conviction. His criminal record .) a pr ote includes convictions for drug The film’s aim was to insult, provoke st offences and bank fraud. confrontation and reinforce divisions. In this sense it was of use only to a He told authorities that he wrote small, narrow community of political the script for Innocence of Muslims activists on both sides of the febrile while in prison. When he was freed religious divide that has arisen be- on probation in June 2011 he started tween mainly Islamic and Christian production in California. communities over the past decade.

Actors in the film say that they were Although the error-strewn reporting told the film was called “Desert led to significant apologies from the Warrior,” and say that the script Associated Press as well as The Wall contained no references to Street Journal, many media organ- Mohammed. One of them, Cindy isations did not bother to correct Lee Garcia, told ABC News, “I never their mistakes and few returned to heard Mohammed, I never said the story to set the record straight Mohammed.” Specific references to when the film’s producer was sent Mohammed and Islam were added to jail. later. The Innocence of Muslims affair is Youssef originally told reporters he the latest incident in which media was an “Israeli Jew” and that the film have been at the centre of attempts had cost about $5,000,000, which by political groups to manipulate came from wealthy Jewish friends, public opinion to foment religious but in fact Youssef is an Egyptian- and cultural divisions between

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communities.This tendency has its in which more than 150 people Media have been origins in the development of the were killed. at the centre of so-called war on terror following the attempts by political 9/11 terrorist attacks and wider con- The cartoons had been commissioned groups to manipulate cerns over United States policy in the by a Danish daily newspaper but public opinion Middle East, particular arising from their publication only became a to foment religious the invasion of Iraq in 1993. global story four months later, timing and cultural which suggests that Middle Eastern divisions. Most dramatically, in 2006, the political groups fueled and shaped infamous cartoons crisis led to a the controversy to suit their own firestorm of protest over publications interests. In particular, it provided in western media of images of the opportunities for fresh expression of Prophet Mohammed. Although, in anti-Americanism in the Middle East.2 the event, only a relative handful of media around the world ever In 2008 a short film produced by the published these controversial cartoons Dutch Parliamentarian Geert Wilders they served as a lightning rod for called Fitna (an Arabic word that is conflict over free expression rights similar to tribulation and turmoil and led to angry street protests in English) attempted to illustrate

2 See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-mcgraw-and-joel-warner/muhammad-cartoons_b_1907545.html 11 INNOCENT MISTAKES

) com ock. terst hut / S ords W 00 10 (A

how the Koran is used to promote In February 2012 there was fresh hatred. The film argued that Islam controversy over the burning of the encourages terrorism, anti-Semitism, Koran and religious material by United and violence against women as well States soldiers in Afghanistan. as violence and subjugation of According to the Washington Post, non-Muslims. US troops at Bagram air base provoked public indignation in It was published on the Internet but, February by taking a batch of in the face of broad opposition from religious materials, including 500 most of his political opponents, copies of the Koran, to the inciner- Wilders was unable to get the film ator.4 Five days of protest followed shown elsewhere in Europe. in which 30 people died, including Nevertheless, it stirred a continuing four Americans. debate about Islam in the Netherlands. Against this backdrop of discord and In 2010, Pastor Jim Jones leader of dispute over religion, free expression a tiny Christian community in the and fragile community relations the backwoods of Florida promised to Innocence of Muslims posed new burn the Koran on the anniversary of challenge to media about how to the 9/11 terror attacks, a pledge that report manifestations of hatred. was widely-publicised by media and quickly became a global story prompting fresh protests. In the event Jones gave way to political pressure and did not carry out his threat.

But media, particularly in the United States, realised that the story may have received more attention than it deserved. Jones continues to seek

publicity and has been burning the A l ar Koran on occasions but his actions g e c ro receive little publicity. However, w d o f he returned to the limelight briefly M u s thanks to the Innocence of Muslims lim s r al ly when he publicly defended the film o ut si and showed a trailer of it to his de th 3 e supporters. Am er ica n E m ba ssy pr otes ting . Sep te 3 mb See http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/guy-koran-burning-pastor-terry-jones-backs-anti- er 18, 2012 muhammad-movie-article-1.1157522 in Ban gkok, Thailand. 12 4 See: www.washingtonpost.com, August 27, 2012. ) com ock. terst hut / S ords W 00 10 (A

A l ar g e c ro w d o f M u s lim s r al ly o ut si d e t he Am er ica n E m ba ssy pr otes tin g. S ept emb er 18, 2012 in Ban gkok, Thailand. INNOCENT MISTAKES

United States: Focus on the Foreign In the United States media were focused on the film’s Angle impact overseas, where it appeared thousands of Anser Hassan demonstrators were taking to the streets across many parts of the Islamic world. Of much less interest was the local angle - the story of how the film was made, its quality, who was responsible and the intentions behind its production. Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from UNITED STATES: FOCUS ON THE FOREIGN ANGLE

Certainly, the foreign story was full Although the government and Bilfour’s Much of the story of promise. In Pakistan, for example, own secular party, the Awami National was told without members of various government Party, were quick to separate them- context, particularly agencies at the local, state and selves from his proposal, the events the failure to report national levels denounced the film, provided ample scope for United on alternative and saying it denigrated Islam and States journalists to see the story moderate Muslim equating it with blasphemy. defined by events unfolding beyond opinion. The Pakistani cabinet declared a its borders.5 national holiday and appeared to openly encourage street protests. CNN described the Pakistani govern- ment’s call for a national holiday as Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez official backing for protest and while Ashraf said, “I intend that a message several demonstrations in urban cen- should go to the world that the tres rightly made headlines (see federal cabinet of Pakistan strongly the Pakistan section of this report) condemns this sacrilegious film.” He much of the story was told by United directed the Ministry of Information States media without context, Technology to demand that YouTube particularly the failure of media to remove the video. report on alternative and moderate Muslim opinion. Pakistan’s Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour went further, offering For example, few, if any, American a bounty to the person who kills the media reported on the joint Muslim- filmmaker, saying, “I announce today Christian peaceful protests against that this blasphemer who has abused the film in the city of Samundri, the holy prophet, if somebody will Pakistan.6 Peaceful demonstrations kill him, I will give that person a prize in Kashmir and Swat, which are both of $100,000.” regions where religious violence has been prevalent, were not mentioned by major American media.

5 See http://www.news.com.au/world-news/australias-high-commission-in-islamabad-pakistan-shut-over- fears-of-violent-protests-over-anti-islam-film/story-fndir2ev-1226478948912 6 Seehttp://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/headlinenewsd.php?hnewsid=3778 15 INNOCENT MISTAKES

The quality of the Some effort to put the protests in as an opportunity to express their film is so pathetic a different context was made by disappointment and anger, and really, that it should’ve been National Public Radio, which in hurt, about the anti-Islam video. allowed to die reporting live from Pakistan on a natural death. September 21st included this telling But what you see are crowds of exchange between NPR Anchor young men just wantonly destroying Steve Inskeep and reporter Jackie buildings and cheering when they Northam: break a security cordon. Unfortunately - those are the pictures that the world’s • Inskeep: I’ve been following the going to see.7 Pakistani press and there are other voices out there. Here’s a quote This failure to provide context - that from an article by a man named Raza is the other side of a predictable Rumi, writing in the Express Tribune story of violent protest - was the in Pakistan. He argues, quote: “The major problem according to Javed quality of the film is so pathetic that Ali founder and editor of ILLUME it should’ve been allowed to die a media, an American award-winning, natural death. However, trust some multi-media website devoted to Muslims to be swayed by brazen coverage of the American Muslim provocation… All you have is a faux community. narrative of Islam versus the West.” Are there a lot of people, basically “I think we have to be careful saying, what’s going on here? before we say that certain media What’s the point? organisations in the West are being sensationalist,” he cautions. “There • Northam: You know, there are is so much pressure on media to voices of reason here, certainly. get the story out and to be first and And on the morning shows on TV, journalism is suffering. But the the anchors were appealing for calm mainstream media needs to be and saying violence just won’t do critical and sensitive in providing anything, it’ll make Muslims look bad more space for differing viewpoints. in the eyes of the world. People I’ve This is not to minimize or condone talked to over the past week have the violence. The violence is real. expressed the same sentiment. A lot But there is a historical and socio- of people, just don’t understand why political context missing in the everybody has reacted so violently coverage. That part is critical.” to such a stupid film - like your columnist said. But a lot of people did want to use this public holiday

16 7 NPR http://www.npr.org/2012/09/21/161527580/thousands-in-pakistan-to-protest-anti-islam-movie UNITED STATES: FOCUS ON THE FOREIGN ANGLE

The American media watchdog organisation Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) supported Ali’s call for context in reporting. They argue that US media coverage of events in Muslim majority countries is a “carnival of distortion, double standards and bigotry.”8

FAIR criticised coverage of the film by both Time and Newsweek and were particularly critical of the pictures and headlines on the cover pages. They had no problem with the reporting of Time, but they condemned the sensationalism of the front cover headline - ‘The Newsweek’s now infamous ‘Muslim rage’ cover. Agents of Outrage.’ Photograph: Guardian

They were especially critical of News- punishment are not a fringe group. week, whose front cover - ‘Muslim On the contrary, they represent the Rage: How I Survived It, How We mainstream of contemporary Islam.” Can End it’ - caused widespread consternation and also of the article FAIR retorted, “Mainstream? Hardly. inside by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. FAIR Just a tiny fraction of the planet’s 1.6 described her as an Islamophobe billion Muslims took to the streets in who was “repurposing her standard the alleged explosion of anger.” take on the depravity of Islam with a Building on that theme, columnist few new details from current events.” Jeff Sybertz writes, “Due to the media’s desire for a simple story with They claimed the article wrongly clearly defined protagonists and suggests such protests are supported antagonists that follows the by the mainstream public in these pro-American narrative, coverage countries, as described by Hirsi Ali has focused more on the video itself who wrote, “The Muslim men and instead of uncovering why a trashy women (and yes, there are plenty of video made by an independent women) who support - whether individual could instigate so much actively or passively - the idea that hatred and anger in so many people blasphemers deserve to suffer toward an entire nation.”9

8 See http://fair.org/extra-online-articles/why-do-they-hate-us-back/) 9 See http://commons.trincoll.edu/tripod/2012/09/25/innocence-of-muslims-and-the-role-of-the- american-media/ 17 INNOCENT MISTAKES

At the same time people inside the “Protests were exacerbated around media community began to voice the Muslim world by inaccurate, concern that journalists were not incomplete and unverified media adequately explaining the full back- reports. Hoodlums with weaponry ground to the events with little had become engaged as well as distinction being made between everyday outraged Muslims.” those who participate because they believe in the cause and those who Part of the problem according to show up just to cause problems. political scientist Hoda Salah is that media coverage of Islam and the The Vienna-based International Innocence of Muslim film in particular Press Institute (IPI) and the World was one-dimensional. She took Association of Newspapers and issue with framing of the protests News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in Paris as “mass” demonstrations, asking issued a joint statement which said “What do 3,000 demonstrators in a in part: “Western media coverage city of 20 million like Cairo amount of the protests has been intense, to? Do they represent a majority of focussing on violence, anti-American the country’s Muslims? The reports statements and on security measures often demonstrate no sense of pro- taken at the embassies. There appears portion.”11 to have been less coverage of protests by people in Muslim countries, who Hoda also noted that, like the analysis were condemning the attacks”.10 of radical Muslims, media failed to provide detail that would put the They recommended that coverage story in a better context. “Both the could improve. “Western media Western mainstream media and the can also better explain the reaction radical Islamists generalise where in the Arab world by, distinguishing they should differentiate - and thus between who is calling for demon- contribute towards the escalation.” strations, and who is hoping for (or involved in) violent attacks and This lack of context leads media to looting… and it demonstrates the reduce the complexity of Muslim and kind of misinformation that the Arab society and the variety of their media should seek to address.” people to their religious identity. “They ignore the global, economic The frustration over media coverage and political causes of alarming was expressed succinctly by one outbreaks of violence in the region,” reader writing in the Baltimore Sun she says. on September 20th who said:

10 See http://www.freemedia.at/home/singleview/article/ipiwan-ifra-editorial-at-times-like-these-media- freedom-and-independence-are-more-important-than.html 18 11 See http://en.qantara.de/Against-the-Islamisation-of-Muslims/19917c21325i1p1414/index.html UNITED STATES: FOCUS ON THE FOREIGN ANGLE

But not all journalism failed the test. Like other mainstream news outlets One media outlet that distinguished CNN provided wide-ranging itself was Bloomberg which on the coverage of protests over the film. day of the major protests provided They included news and editorial some of the most comprehensive updates including a perceptive piece journalism, not just in terms of scope from Aazadi Fateh Muhammad, a of coverage, but also in adding con- professor of mass communication at text to a larger socio-political story Federal Urdu University in Karachi, behind the so-called “Muslim rage.” who suggested media should high- light the calls for moderation by Reporters quoted leaders throughout Islamic leaders and scholars and that the region, many who called on there should be less coverage given to the US to be firm against the film- hard-line political parties and leaders.13 maker, yet also calling for peaceful demonstrations. Furthermore, the However, these recommendations Bloomberg coverage also tackled were rarely followed, even by CNN, the issue of context, for example, although the network did produce explaining the growing anti-American one article which provided good sentiment resulting from increasing background and context to the drone strikes.12 demonstrations, and even interviewing several American Muslim leaders. A Bloomberg news producer based “There should have been no blood- in the United States admits that many shed,” said Muslim leader Maher reporters did not give the proper Hathout. “As a matter of fact, there context to the events around the film should have been no reaction to such but says this is more likely to be as a an insignificant production.” Zainab result of lack of access to reliable and Al-Suwaij, of the American Islamic credible sources in the Muslim Congress, added the telling point community. “I refuse to believe that that those behind the protests have there is an evil conspiracy within “a lot of other political goals” and newsrooms in the West to bring on are using the film as “just an excuse.”14 a clash of civilizations,” he says. It is, he says, a problem of media structure rather than internal news planning. He wished to remain anonymous for the purposes of this report.

12 See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-21/pakistan-tv-airs-obama-ad-denouncing-anti-islam- video.html 13 See http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/22/opinion/fateh-pakistan-islam-protests 14 See http://edition.cnn.com/2012/09/17/world/film-protests 19 INNOCENT MISTAKES

United States: Media Bias and the anti-Islam Message Danica Ilic The general failure of media to tell the full story of the Innocence of Muslims controversy may in part be explained by the findings of a survey published soon afterwards which suggests that media in the United States routinely give undue prominence to anti-Islam messages. Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from UNITED STATES: FOCUS ON THE FOREIGN ANGLE

The work by Christopher Bail, a He writes “I found that organizations sociologist at the University of North with negative messages about Carolina and the University of Muslims captivated the mass media Michigan finds that since the terror after the September 11 attacks, attacks on New York and Washington even though the vast majority of civil the media are more likely to publicise society organisations depict Muslims the views and actions of minority as peaceful, contributing members groups, even where they are driven of American society. by a divisive and hate-inspired agenda. Prior to 9/11 such groups As a result, he says, public condem- rarely figured in the news. nations of terrorism by Muslims have receive little media attention, but Bail became interested in the public organisations spreading negative discourse surrounding Islam and messages continue to stoke public studied the controversies about fears that Muslims are secretly the faith have regularly arisen since plotting to overthrow the American 2001, including the publicity given government. “They are now so much to Koran-burning Florida pastor a part of the mainstream that they Terry Jones’ and the impact of the have been able to recast genuinely Innocence of Muslims film.15 mainstream Muslim organizations as radicals,” he told the Huffington His study, published in December Post.16 2012 by the American Sociological Review, finds that anti-Muslim fringe His study reveals that media-savvy groups are more mainstream and extremists, representing a tiny sector have increased their influence and of non-governmental organisations, funding since the September 11th at- captivate the media with their news tacks, in part thanks to their presence releases, leading to major news in the United States media. coverage, which in turn gives them

15 See http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50008102/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.UVV2SRwaMl- 16 The Huffington Post, 2012 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/krystina-friedlander/a-look-back-at-media- coverage-of-islam-and-islamic-law-in-2012_b_2346943.html 21 INNOCENT MISTAKES

American media legitimacy, attracts donations and “We learned that American media almost completely connects the groups to powerful almost completely ignored public ignored public conservative think tanks.17 condemnations of terrorist events by condemnations of prominent Muslim organisations in the terrorist events by “I’m not saying the media had a United States,” he said. “Inattention prominent Muslim direct role in facilitating these to these condemnations, combined organisations in the connections,” says Bail, “but news- with the emotional warnings of anti- United States. paper and television coverage of fringe organisations, has created a fringe groups with messages seeking very distorted representation of the r 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Hani to inspire anti-Muslim and Islamic ptembe Mohamm community of advocacy organisations, , on Se ed) emen aa, Y fear and anger were given increased think tanks, and religious groups San d, in oun visibility creating the misperception mp competing to shape the represent- co ssy ba they were mainstream organizations.” ation of Islam in the American Em .S. 18 U he public sphere.” t t a

As a result, he says, media contribute

to helping these organisations to t” he p secure funding and to build social ro p ’s d networks that they may not been o G u o able to do otherwise. By contrast, y t u b e his study reveals that moderate n o y n groups, which make up the vast a “ , s d majority of civil society Muslim organ- a e r t a isations are much less represented h t ic in news reports. b a r A

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A INNOCENT MISTAKES

United Kingdom: Media Caught in the Crossfire Danica Ilic In Britain as the storm over Innocence of Muslims began to erupt the BBC immediately identified how media themselves were used to ignite the controversy in the Muslim world. On September 13th 2012 reporter Alistair Leithead commented:

“It was the film’s translation into Arabic and broadcast on Arab television stations and talk shows which sparked the violence - although investigations are now under way in Washington to establish whether the worst of the violence was not spontaneous.” 19 Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from UNITED KINGDOM: MEDIA CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

The BBC didn’t dwell on its own The editor of the BBC Arabic Service, Small groups used it role in the process, although it did Faris Couri, agrees that media as a pretext to launch acknowledge in the same report that coverage lacked responsibility. violent attacks that it was one of many in the mainstream “Media allowed this production led to death, injuries media that had repeated the mistaken deemed amateurish and insignificant and destruction and highly controversial claim that to be noticed,” he said. “The film that the author of the video was of caused a lot of anguish among Israeli origin. ordinary Muslims; however, small groups used it as a pretext to launch “The exact origin of the movie and violent attacks that led to death, the internet clip, and the motivation injuries and destruction of behind its production, remains a properties.” mystery, “said Leithead. “But it appears not to be linked to an Israeli Analysing his own team’s reporting film-maker as was earlier widely on the video and the protests, he is reported, including by the BBC.” convinced the BBC’s Arabic coverage was balanced and objective. “Radio In fact, this widely-reported statement conducted the first telephone inter- was deliberate misinformation and view with the Egyptian film producer mischief-making by the film-maker from the United States,” he said. himself who was looking to provoke “The demonstrations and associated and enrage Muslim activists. It was a violence across the Arab and Islamic falsehood repeated by many broad- world were covered on other plat- casters and newspapers, including forms and there was special attention the Guardian, and it remained current to attacks on embassies and to what and uncorrected for 24 hours making was going in Egypt, especially the its way into the mainstream coverage Coptic community were its leaders of media around the globe. condemned the film.”

19 See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19572912 25 INNOCENT MISTAKES

Journalists and The BBC also reported the Egyptian Chris Elliott, the Guardian’s Readers editors wage a courts verdict in which seven men Editor goes further and says we are constant struggle to associated with the film were witnessing “the decline of newspapers deal professionally sentenced to death, in absentia. where the news and journalism are with the constant synonymous”. flow and rising tide of But did media adequately highlight information, much of those moderate voices in the Muslim Without trying to excuse the UK and it unverified, on the world condemning violence and other media for irresponsible reporting Internet. did it provide enough context by on the protests in many Arab countries ph ra explaining who was behind the last year, Elliott explains how it is leg Te K aily niv s D protests, their political nature and difficult to catch up with the world es o ain’ ut: a Brit prov from the numbers involved? of instant tweets, social media ocative and posed image comments and other forms of the Couri is a mite defensive. He stresses audience’s reporting or at least that they were careful to carry a spreading of the information online. number of different viewpoints “including people who were equally “We still need responsible, fair and robust in condemning the film and ethical reporting and it is wrong to the violence that followed.” suggest that one group, whether is Muslim or some others, is to blame,” He said: “The questions were asked he said. “Media have to ensure that about the groups who were behind everyone gets a fair hearing and to the violence and what they represent, voice the moderate views. It is import- but there were no clear answers. It ant that journalists don’t demonise is easy to say they were groups of anyone, in this case, Muslims.” fanatics but it is difficult to say what was their political nature and motives. He says journalists and editors wage None of the countries where violence a constant struggle to deal profes- took place produced results of any sionally with the constant flow and investigations in the events.” rising tide of information, much of it unverified, on the Internet. For their part media policymakers, editors and reporters, complain that “It is hard not to report on something the rush to judgement by readers that everyone is talking about, like and some parts of grassroots jour- in the case of the alleged chemical nalism are contributing to lowering attack in Syria,” he says. “So therefore, the quality of reporting and reinforcing many fall into trap and publish the trend towards less responsible unverified reports. One of the journalism. problems of the editors is that they

20 See http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/technology/micwright/100007852/google-the-innocence-of-muslims- 26 and-the-politics-of-tech/). ph ra leg Te K aily niv s D es o ain’ ut: a Brit prov from ocative and posed image

don’t have the courage to say - we One example of irresponsible reporting are not reporting on something while was found in the London Daily Tele- we don’t investigate the story and graph which, on September 27th, while we don’t check all the facts.” carried an article on Google’s refusal to take down the Innocence of He highlights the need to verify infor- Muslims video from its YouTube site mation, check facts and put reporting and which was illustrated by a violent into context. “It is absolutely the photo of the protesters with knives. editors’ responsibility to dig deeper,” he says. “It is our responsibility to This portrayal of extremism and write stories carefully and to follow violence was not balanced with any the basic rule of putting them into coverage from Muslim leaders that context. We all have to be more were at the time condemning violent careful.” protest.20

The Guardian’s publication of the The notion of global ‘Muslim Rage’ Associated Press story on the alleged generated by Newsweek in the United Israeli origins of the Innocence of States reached the UK through the Muslims producer led to an appear- pages of Vice magazine which ance before the UK’s Press Complaints published an article on a demon- Commission. Because AP didn’t correct stration outside the United States its report for 24 hours the Guardian’s London embassy entitled “Islamic online edition kept the misinformation Rage at the ‘Innocence of Muslims’ from the filmmaker current. reached London Today.”21

21 See http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/muslim-extremists-burnt-some-flags-outside-the-us-embassy- in-london1 22 See http://www.theweek.co.uk/uk-news/islam-film-row/49560/muslims-march-google-uk-protest- innocence-video#ixzz2NoRyKeEv 27 INNOCENT MISTAKES

The Guardian at the Similarly, the tendency to exaggerate compared to 39 per cent of Americans time reported a slight was found in coverage of UK protests polled. Similarly, fewer British respon- increase in levels of by The Week which reported that dents - 41 per cent - agreed that ‘It hostility to Muslims “Ten thousand people travelled from is possible for the West and Muslim in the UK. Glasgow, Blackburn, Manchester and world to co-exist in peace’ compared elsewhere to the protest” in London with 47 per cent of Americans.23 according to the Daily Telegraph. The BBC put the number at 3,500.22 In another poll conducted in the immediate aftermath of the furore, While it is difficult to test the impact but only released in January 2013, Pol of media coverage, a study for The 24 per cent of Britons agreed that ice mo bile s et on fire Guardian at the time reported a the makers of the film ought to have by ang ry pro slight increase in levels of hostility to been prosecuted by the US authorities tes ter s in Pa Muslims in the UK based upon the for committing a hate crime, while ki sta n 24 on results of a poll carried out by polling 40 per cent opposed such action. “ Lo ve agency YouGov. This examined th e Pr op voter perceptions of conflict and h et D a coexistence between ‘the West and y” . (P h o the Muslim world’ and questioned to /A th a respondents about the Innocence of r K h a n Muslims film. )

The poll reveals higher levels of hostility to Islam in the UK than in the US with 43 per cent of Britons agreeing with the statement ‘There is a fundamental conflict (between the West and the Muslim world); in the end one or other must prevail’,

23 See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep /26/republicans-west-islam-conflict-poll 24 See http://www.brin.ac.uk/news/2013/attitudes 28 -to-muslims/ UNITED KINGDOM: MEDIA CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE

Pol ice mo bile s et on fire by ang ry pro tes ter s in Pa ki sta n on “ Lo ve th e Pr op h et D a y” . (P h o to /A th a r K h a n ) INNOCENT MISTAKES

Pakistan: Political Interference and Two Faces of More than 30 people died and over 300 were injured in Pakistan in violent demonstrations surrounding the Media Innocence of Muslims Kamal Siddiqi . As this report was compiled, more than six months after the protests, YouTube and hundreds of websites which carried the video remain banned in the country on grounds that the content hurts the sentiments of the Muslim community.

Attempts to restore YouTube have met with public resistance and the government, which has been ready to reopen the site, has backed down on at least two occasions. Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from PAKISTAN: POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND TWO FACES OF MEDIA

These efforts are complicated, not Daily Jang, the country’s biggest least because although some political circulation newspaper and the most and religious parties have been prominent Urdu paper, covered the inflaming passions, the government protests against the blasphemous actively supported the protestors, movie on its front page with who on one day went on a rampage itsreport highlighting how protests that resulted in 26 deaths and damage were sweeping the entire Arab world. to property worth millions. Similar sensationalist coverage was Equally important is the role played seen in Roznama Express 25, Daily by the media in stoking public anger Nawa-e-Waqt 26 and Daily Jasarat.27 and hostility. Led by the broadcast The killing of the United States media, the most prominent role Ambassador to Libya was covered in was played by the Urdu print media the context of Arab protests over the whose inflammatory stories, often film, suggesting that the two events displayed with troubling pictures were linked. and images, added to the climate of intolerance and violence. However, the impact may have been not as great as some feared because In contrast, Pakistan’s English media the two issues were overshadowed played down most of the controversy by a local tragedy, a fire at a factory and provided generally responsible in Baldia Town Karachi which claimed coverage. Comment articles including the lives of around 300 workers. editorials in leading English papers In the event, the protests over the like Dawn, The Express Tribune and blasphemous video and the killing of The News, condemned both the the US Ambassador were somewhat movie as well as the protests that underplayed. surrounded it. It was on September 16th that the It was a different story in the Urdu Press. headlines that caused possibly the From the beginning, on September most reaction were published. 14th 2012 a clear line was taken. Simultaneously, in almost all Urdu

25 Pakistan’s second largest circulated Urdu paper and the largest circulated paper in Punjab province 26 Largely Lahore based Urdu paper with a right of center leaning 27 Official newspaper of the Jamat-e-Islami party which is a right wing political party with a limited electoral base but representation in the civil and military bureaucracy as well as in academia 31 INNOCENT MISTAKES

newspapers across the country, the release of a blasphemous film banner headlines announced that was now talking about entering the the United States was planning to Muslims countries with its troops. move troops into Muslims countries The editorial, read by hundreds of where protest were taking place. thousands of Pakistanis, gave the This unsubstantiated story, although impression that the blasphemous film credited to AFP/Reuters, ran as the was part of a conspiracy by the US to lead in Jang, Nawa-e-Waqt, Express invade Muslims countries. and Jasarat suggested that the US troops were on their way to take over As protests flared, Jang wrote Muslim countries.28 another editorial on September 18th in which it said that the test of Muslim Daily Jasarat went further and gave patience “had not ended” and that front page display to a call by the anti-Islam elements were active in Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a attacking Muslims. banned militant outfit, urging Muslims to stand up against the film. On the same day, Salim Saifi, a popular columnist for Jang and an Not surprisingly in this atmosphere, anchor with Geo TV, a sister organ- the protests intensified in Karachi isation of Jang and Pakistan’s major where thousands marched to the broadcaster, wrote in his column that American consulate and tried to the problem was that Muslims were scale the walls. In this melee, two being tested and the West “underes- people died and many were injured. timated the love that Muslims had for The next day, Jasarat ran a front their Holy Prophet.” page story claiming, symbolically, that the US flag at the consulate As the temperature continued to rise “had been replaced.” there was news that the government had banned YouTube29 on the instruc- In the meantime, Urdu papers gave tions of the prime minister. Some prominent coverage to protests newspapers also carried politically around the country in which calls significant news that the army had were also made by various religious been called out to control the wors- parties - not just extremists, to come ening state of affairs in Islamabad. out and protest. This gave the impression that the The mood was captured in an editorial government was losing control of the in Daily Jang on September 17th, the situation. It was under these day of the strikes in Karachi, which circumstances that the government questioned why the US - after allowing called for a strike to protest the

28 Lead story September 16 32 29 Daily Jang front page September 14, 2012 PAKISTAN: POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND TWO FACES OF MEDIA

blasphemous film and declared two-faced policy of the west. On One political a public holiday, naming the day the one hand, they argued, many consequence was “Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool.”30 western countries do not allow any that it gave a boost discussion over the Holocaust, but at to marginal and The violence on this day was unprec- the same time they give publicity to extremist groups. edented. The government admitted the burning of the Koran by extremist by the end of the day that at least Pastor Terry Jones in Florida, and 26 people had died in Karachi alone, they condone the publication of many of them trying to protect their blasphemous cartoons and the airing property from looters. There was of a blasphemous movie. some confusion over the number of casualties, with Daily Jasarat putting An opinion piece in the Roznama the death toll at 31. Express by senior editor Tanweer Kaiser31 summarizes what most Urdu The coverage of protests and the papers were saying. Titled “Kay Hail looting that went with it by the Urdu Hue”32, Qaiser says that on the one press was significantly different from hand the west incites and on the other media in the country. Most did other it does not care for the feelings not put pictures of the destruction of Muslims. on their front page. Giving the death toll, most papers also highlighted One political consequence of the how strongly Muslims had protested extensive coverage of rallies, protests, against the blasphemous film. strikes and statements of religious parties on the issue was that it gave On September 22nd, the editorial a boost to marginal and extremist that appeared in Daily Jasarat groups. There was a sudden rise in captured the mood of the Urdu coverage for religious parties in com- press. It praised the strike, took into parison mainstream political parties account the muted reaction of the most of which remained on the side- US government to Muslim protests, lines on this issue in the Urdu press. and warned the government against selling its soul and concluded by In stark contrast, as the blasphemous warning the West that Muslims would movie controversy erupted the English not tolerate an attack on the person media were focused on other issues - of the Holy Prophet. the Fair Trial Bill, the visit of Indian foreign minister to Pakistan and the In the aftermath of protests a number culling of Australian sheep at a farm of Urdu papers published opinion outside Karachi. pieces and editorials most of which questioned what they saw as the

30 Day for the love of the Prophet (pbuh) 31 October 1, 2012. Opinion pages Roznama Express 32 Urdu for “What did we achieve”? 33 INNOCENT MISTAKES

In general broadcast Nevertheless, most of the English After the deadly rioting on September media, which is often papers in Pakistan: Daily Dawn, The 21st, Dawn came up with its lead criticised for sensa- Express Tribune, The News and the headline “Day of reverence or killer tionalism and playing Daily Times, reported on the film rage.” In its comprehensive four-page fast and loose with the and the violent protest, but the story report on the rioting, it showed much ethics of journalism, of the killing of the US Ambassador of the destruction that was caused in in this instance to Libya was overshadowed by the the name of religion. displayed a certain Baldia factory fire, which was covered reticence extensively in the English press. In its editorial on the same day,34 the paper argued that much of the damage According to journalist and media was caused by the government- analyst Ghazi Salahuddin33, the sanctioned strike. It blamed both English media was more objective religious parties and the government but it too was under pressure. “The equally for the carnage. English print media did the best coverage on the issue,” he said, The same line was adopted by The “certainly if we compare it to the Express Tribune. Extensive coverage other media, especially the television of the protests at the US consulate channels.” At the same time, Sala- general in Karachi and the damage huddin says that the English media caused on September 21st was high- “also operated under restrictions and lighted. Interestingly, neither the was not entirely candid.” papers nor those interviewed criticised the root cause of the carnage. In The The threats issued by religious parties News, an interview with a cinema to the United States government owner illustrated the problem. and their inflammatory statements He said that while his cinema was against President Zardari were largely burnt, the cause for which it was ignored by the English media as burnt was right. were coverage of their activities on the issue. However, all English papers also came down hard on the cash bounty In fact, Daily Dawn in its editorial on declared by railways minister Bilour September 15th suggested that the who pledged $100,000 reward for issue may best be ignored, and that the killing of the producer of the attacking American missions abroad blasphemous movie. This offer was serves no purpose and that such extensively covered. actions are done by some people and the state is held responsible for A scoop for The Express Tribune was them. The paper also suggested that the burning of a church in Mardan the US respect Muslim sentiments. by rioters protesting against the

33 Interview. March 20, 2013 34 34 Daily Dawn September 22 PAKISTAN: POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND TWO FACES OF MEDIA

blasphemous movie.35 This action as well as the attempted attack on was also condemned all round and the US consulate in Karachi. these were prominently published TV reporters also complained that in the English media. they too were attacked by protestors some of whom accused the television While the English press kept is eye networks of bias. Saad Hasan, on the losses and damage caused by a reporter for Express Tribune news- the rioters and those who supported paper, for instance, said that he felt action against the makers of the unsafe while covering the violence movie the Pakistan broadcast media because a lot of the anger was played a role in shaping public opinion directed at the media. against the blasphemous movie with news channels covering extensively However, no television channel aired riots over the movie across the Arab any clips of the offensive video or world. even described its content. Almost all anchors and TV show hosts took The first program to tackle the issues refuge in talk about how the West behind the protests was aired by had double standards and how the Kamran Khan on Geo TV. 36 In general Muslim world is under attack, broadcast media, which is often particularly from the United States. criticised for sensationalism and playing fast and loose with the But media analyst Ghazi Salahuddin ethics of journalism, in this instance blames the broadcast media,37 espe- displayed a certain reticence and cially Urdu news channels, for stirring most coverage was guarded. Most up the audience and he disagrees of the networks - including Geo TV, with the notion that only a minority Express News, Dunya TV, Samaa TV of people supported the protests. and other smaller news channels, gave prominence to the strikes with “A large number of people wanted less commentary over the issue. to protest and were angered by the film,” he said, “but the media This prudent approach may be was responsible for creating the because Pakistan’s broadcast media environment in which violence took has come under fire on previous place.” He cites the example of the occasions for commenting on murder of Punjab Governor Salmaan religious issues. Taseer in 2011 who was killed by a bodyguard because of his moder- Nevertheless, all major news channels ate approach to blasphemy. In that covered the blow by blow account instance, public opinion was in favour of rioting in Lahore and Islamabad of the killer and this was reinforced

35 September 24, 2012 36 Aj Kamran Khan Ke Saath: show on September 14 37 Interview March 20, 2013 35 INNOCENT MISTAKES

by the media. Similarly, the Innocence US government had responded to of Muslim film was seen as deeply protests. There was much comment, offensive and unacceptable slight too, on the way the stories appeared on Islam and media reinforced that in the English media, but most people sentiment. were wary of commenting in any way on blasphemy, which on almost all For its part Pakistan’s emerging social platforms, is a taboo topic in Pakistan. media, which is usually very vocal and not bound by the censorship However the religious parties actively and decency laws or requirements of used social media to generate support other media, also remained largely for their protests and demonstrations constrained on this issue. Blogger and also to stir up anger on the inter- and journalist Mehmal Sarfraz says net. This was particular evident in the that the social media work under actions of two Twitter-savvy religious certain constraints.38 He says that no outfits Jamat-ud-Dawah (JuD) and one questioned whether the movie the Jamaat-e-Islami. was blasphemous and there was much debate on what should be Another academic critical of western done about it. media coverage is Dr. ZafarIqbal, Associate Professor at International Some of the bigger names from Islamic University, Islamabad, and Pakistan, like Mosharraf Zaidi and attached to the Annenberg School of Marvi Sirmid insisted that the best Communication, at the University of way to deal with the situation is to Southern California as a Sabbatical ignore it. But at the same time several Fellow. insisted that America should be held responsible for the movie and action He reviewed more than 1000 media must be taken against it. stories on the film, mostly in the Western print media, and he finds The country’s growing Twitterati that media were “fraught with is constricted by the fact that the irrelevant discussions on freedom medium is still in English. While one of expression and whether the film would have expected some sort of constitutes hate speech.” debate in this somewhat elitist medium, there was none that trended. In an interview for this report he said that reactions from the Muslim world Facebook and Twitter provided were overshadowed by western media avenues for many Pakistani Muslims focus on “head counts and violent to protest over the blasphemous processions” followed by pundits and movie and the manner in which the reporters defending free speech.

36 38 Interview March 15, 2013 PAKISTAN: POLITICAL INTERFERENCE AND TWO FACES OF MEDIA

“Some pieces were full of polemics broadcast media. Media were partic- The religious parties against Islam and Muslims,” he said. ularly influenced by religious parties, actively used social “On the other hand, in some quarters, not necessarily extremists, who saw media to generate ironically, the movie was declared this as an opportunity to regain lost support for their it a ‘mockery of basic standards of political ground. protests and demon- human decency, good taste, artistic strations and also to subtlety and historical discernment’ While the popular impression may stir up anger on the as stated by the Jerusalem Post, be that there was a lot of anger internet. They took September 24th 2012, but such among the Muslim community, in they fed the media items were played down in most fact very few advocated violence or appetite for strong, media in the West.” confrontation with the police or the confrontational government. By and large, most language with angry His research found that reporters people who wished to protests statements. presented the issue in an over- wanted to express their anger and simplified manner and found it easy hurt through peaceful means. to “tag their stories with Muslims protest or protests by the Muslim However, religious parties channelled extremists.” As a result media failed public anger, with media support, to to give due coverage to Muslim promote anti-American and anti- scholars denouncing violent protests. government feelings. They took the lead in organising and rallies, He said that media coverage was protests, strikes and marches; they problematic, not least because it fed the media appetite for strong, appeared to be on one-dimensional, confrontational language with angry that the core issue about the film statements; and they cynically used concerned free speech rights. Most the issue for their own political gain. media he said followed the same line, as articulated by The New This should surprise no-one given the York Post which reported ‘This is no nature of politics and communications, joke. It’s a matter of free speech’ but the way media went along with and ‘it may not be a good film, this strategy not only helps to explain but it has every right to exist - a right the intensity of protest and violence guaranteed by no less than the US against the Innocence of Muslims Constitution.’39 film, it also raises serious questions about how some media can be Finally, if there is blame to be laid manipulated by largely marginal and at the door of media in Pakistan for minority politicians and sometimes inflammatory coverage that may with deadly effect. have provoked more violence it rests with the Urdu press and some of the

39 New York Post, September 17th 2012 37 INNOCENT MISTAKES

Turkey: Limited Protest and Raging Debate Beatrice White When the Innocence of Muslims film first came to public attention in Turkey it was met with general disapproval from the public, fierce condemnations from politicians, especially those belonging to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), and barely a scattering of protests.

Reports in some Western media conveyed a sense of uniform outrage across the Muslim world, illustrated by pictures of Turks demonstrating, placed alongside images of protests in countries such as Afghanistan and Libya, a small number of which turned violent. Despite these sensational images, the reaction from most of the population in Turkey seems to have been rather muted. Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from TURKEY: LIMITED PROTEST AND RAGING DEBATE

Nuri Çolakoğlu, veteran journalist front of the US embassy in the There were protests and president of Doğan Media Turkish capital Ankara. Both but of little signi- International, was dismissive of the demonstrations were described ficance, “In central reaction. “This country is 99 per cent as peaceful.42 Istanbul, everyday Muslim and people are offended by there are 10 to 20 such things - whether it’s a pastor Although it was difficult to determine demonstrations burning the Koran or the Mohammed exactly who was behind the demon- in the centre. Every cartoons - it does lead to a reaction, stration, a connection to certain two hours a new but nothing terribly out of political interests seems fairly clear. group shows up. It’s proportion.”40 Some participants in the protest held like the Hyde Park posters and placards bearing the of Turkey.“ He admits there were protests but of name of the Saadet Party (Turkish little significance, “In central Istanbul, Felicity Party), a religious conservative everyday there are 10 to 20 demon- party not represented in the Turkish strations in the centre. Every two parliament.43 hours a new group shows up. It’s like the Hyde Park of Turkey.” Esra Arsan, a professor of Journalism at Bilgi University and media analyst, It was reported that around 500 believes the sharp rise in the use people gathered in central Istanbul’s of social media in Turkey may have Taksim Square on September 14th played a role in the gatherings, 2012, chanting and burning US and “There are lots of groups like this, Israeli flags in protest at the film’s organising protests. With social media unflattering depiction of the Prophet - which starts as a cluster of ideas Mohammed.41 and groups - people get together and organise protests under names The Hürriyet Daily News reported like ‘defenders of the prophet.”44 that the group, “who dubbed them- selves ‘Lovers of the Prophet,’ left Arsan adds that it is often difficult peacefully” after the demonstration. to tell if these crowds have any real Around the same time, a smaller influence in Muslim society, or if, in group of 50 protesters gathered in this case, they were composed

40 Interview conducted in Istanbul on February 22, 2013 41 Film protests are peaceful in Serbia, Greece, Turkey, SETimes, 24/09/2012, (http://www.setimes.com /cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2012/09/24/feature-04) 42 Daily News September/24/2012 43 Muslim Protests Spread Around the Globe, The Atlantic, Sep 14, 2012 (http://www.theatlantic.com/ infocus/2012/09/muslim-protests-spread-around-the-globe/100369/) 44 Interview at Bilgi University on February 19, 2013 39 INNOCENT MISTAKES

Certain newspapers primarily of opportunistic social coverage. According to him, certain were guilty of stirring media users. newspapers are guilty of stirring up up antagonism in antagonism in controversial cases controversial cases Doğan Tiliç, journalist and professor such as these. such as these. of media and cultural studies at Ankara’s Middle-East Technical He referred to the example of the University, says the reaction of the Turkish daily Sabah, which, after the mainstream media to these kinds of offices of the French satirical news- controversies can generally be as- paper Charlie l’Hebdo were attacked signed to three factors; the stance apparently publishing cartoons of the of the government, the interests of Prophet Mohammed, covered the news media owners, and the feelings of in a celebratory and triumphal tone. the general public. If one or more of these are particularly forceful or “This coverage was not right or prominent, the media generally takes honest,” said Bildirici. “As a news- that line.45 paper, we generally try to show what is happening without telling the Conversely, he says, if there is a reader what to think. In the case of strong wish from one of these parties the cartoons, we wrote about them to suppress an issue, the media without describing or showing them. generally complies. If all three of I think if we had shown the cartoons, these interests coincide, the media readers would be able to decide for treatment will most emphatic, even themselves whether they were to the point of overriding well- insulting or not. established principles of ethical journalism. “But instead we just spoke about ‘the caricatures that insult the prophet.’ Following the film’s emergence in So citizens are getting angry because Turkey, Çolakoğlu says, “News- in France or Denmark the prophet papers carried stories - editorials, was insulted. But in my view these columns were written about it, pictures cartoons were not insulting; it was appeared, but that was the end of just freedom of speech.” Bildirici it. There were of course marginal admits however that he is likely to be Islamist papers that portrayed it in in a minority with this opinion.46 a provocative way - but that didn’t cause much of a stir.” In the wake of the violent episodes in Libya, Turkish Prime Minister Recep The ombudsman for Hürriyet news- Tayyip Erdoğan spoke out about the paper, Faruk Bildirici, took a rather film, describing it as a “provocation” more sombre view of some of the and telling people not to resort to

45 Interview conducted at the Middle-East Technical University on February 27, 2013 46 Interview conducted at Hürriyet HQ in Ankara on February 28, 2013 47 September/15/2012, Daily news, PM Warns Muslims of Provocation over Film (http://www.hurriyetdailynews. 40 com/pm-warns-muslims-of-provocation-over-film.aspx?pageID=238&nID=30196&NewsCatID=338) TURKEY: LIMITED PROTEST AND RAGING DEBATE

violence.47 This statement came Erdoğan further pointed out that shortly after the prime minister while Turkey recognised anti-Semitism received a phone-call from United as a hate crime, not a single Western States President Barack Obama, country recognised Islamophobia as requesting his assistance to diffuse such, going even further to say, “the tensions regarding the film.48 West hasn’t recognised Islamophobia as a crime against humanity - it has Çolakoğlu believes Erdoğan’s efforts encouraged it.”50 to suppress strong reactions stemmed from his party’s current Erdoğan said he would address the position in power, despite its “pro- matter with the UN General Assembly. Islamist” leanings. “Had they been in “There should be international legal opposition, they might have thought regulations against attacks on what of taking advantage of the situation people deem sacred.” Erdoğan to mobilise people.” Tiliç echoed promised the government would these statements, adding that “no immediately start working on legisla- government wants trouble in the tion against blasphemous and streets of a country.” offensive remarks. “Turkey could be a leading example for the rest of the Arsan believes Erdoğan was eager world on this,” he said.51 to take a leading role in the reaction to the film, “Although the movie has This promise was followed up with a no connection to Turkey, Erdoğan series of initiatives, including an likes to consider himself the leader invitation of foreign ministers of Brazil of the Muslim community all over and Sweden to the annual gathering the world,” and for this reason took of Turkish ambassadors from January it upon himself to speak up and take 2nd to 9th 2012 in İzmir to discuss a action to defend their rights. joint initiative to “prevent assaults against sacred values.” The initia- Despite his calls for calm, Erdoğan’s tive, “three soft powers from three condemnation of the film was unequi- continents,” started working on the vocal. “Insulting the Prophet cannot documents for the initiative, which be justified as freedom of expression,” they said they expected to present he said.49 “We are observing that to the UN in 2013.52 extreme rightist moves and racism target Muslims, this time Europe- wide; we are worried that it will escalate in Europe.”

48 Obama asks Eroğan for help, Sabah, Sep 15, 2012, (http://english.sabah.com.tr/National/2012/09/15/ obama-asks-erdogan-for-help) 49 The Ministry of Transport and Communication subsequently blocked access to the video upon a court ruling, after The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office submitted a petition saying that the film could not be considered protected within the scope of freedom of expression and thought. (http:// www.zaman.com.tr/gundem_turkiye-hakaret-filmine-erisimi-engelliyor_1350567.html zaman 26 Sep- tember 2012) The court gave the order on September 26 to block access to links to the film, citing it as a threat to peace and stability. (26 September 2012 /TODAY’S ZAMAN) 41 broadcast on October 15, during

Pr ot which Nişanyan was a guest in a es l) te sa rs r 55 sh n O ou a discussion about the film. t a sm nt /O i-U ers .S. eut slog . (R ans 2012 in Ista r 14, nbul, Turkey, on Septembe Arsan disagrees with Nişanyan, “In order for there to be hate speech, there must be demands for violence In the debate following the film’s against a particular group or com- emergence, there has been much munity. Because this movie targets discussion in Turkey about freedom Muslims as a community, it can be of speech, hate speech and hate described as hate speech. And as we crimes, and about what is covered or know, hate speech can give way to not covered under each of these. violence and hate crimes.” This being said, she also feels that, “Talking In an article about the film posted to about Islamophobia in a country his blog on September 29th entitled where 95 per cent of the country is “Hate Crimes Should Be Fought,” Muslim - of various denominations linguist and author Sevan Nişanyan - is ridiculous, because they are the wrote that, “Mocking an Arab leader majority of the population.” - who claimed that he contacted God hundreds years ago and who gained The main opposition Republican political, financial and sexual profit People’s Party (CHP) requested a from this - is not hate crime. Almost comprehensive law to address the at the level of kindergarten, it is a problem of hate crimes after pub- test case of the thing called ‘freedom lishing its own study on the subject.56 of expression.”53 CHP Bursa deputy Aykan Erdemir Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ said at the time, “the issue cannot said Nişanyan’s words amounted be reduced only to Islamophobia, to a crime worthy of prosecution.54 and we should be very careful not to Later, the Supreme Board of Radio limit the freedom of speech or media and Television (RTÜK) fined private freedom when fighting against hate broadcaster CNN Türk for “insulting crimes. The deputy called for the the Prophet Muhammad” in a TV establishment of new institutions and show presented by Enver Aysever, mechanisms to monitor and track

50 PM Erdoğan: Islamophobia should be recognized as crime against humanity , Today’s Zaman, 16 September 2012 51 Ibid 52 October/26/2012 - Daily News 42 53 October/05/2012 - Daily News TURKEY: LIMITED PROTEST AND RAGING DEBATE

hate crimes in Turkey, and made clear are preparing the background, the Hate is the back- the focus of the study, “For now, we atmosphere for violence. Hate is the ground for violence, must focus on hate crimes, because background for violence, and there and there are news- dealing with hate speech is a very are newspapers in Turkey that are papers in Turkey delicate issue.”57 inciting hatred.” that are inciting hatred. Arsan believes the problem of hate Sharing this view of cause and effect, speech in Turkey to be particularly Arsan says she would “support a pernicious for some segments of law on hate speech rather than hate society. He says, “Turkish media crime - because it is the first step - workers use hate speech freely if you stop hate speech no-one can against certain communities, such as be targeted. There is also a problem Kurds, Armenians, and members of of racism and fascism in Europe the LGBT community - the ‘others’ - against Turks, Roma, and other of the society.” minorities. So we need international legislation, through the EU, UN Arsan has previously been targeted and so on.” by the media herself, “for supporting BDP [the Pro-Kurdish Peace and “Blasphemy should be part of freedom Democracy Party] and writing on of speech,” she says, “we should be sensitive topics, such as Kurdish issues. able to talk negatively about religion A newspaper singled me out as a and criticize it. This is very different supporter of terrorism, an enemy of from “imposing hate speech against the state.” For Arsan, the experience a group of believers that can lead was a frightening one, particularly in to crime.” light of cases such as Hrant Dink, the Armenian journalist who was murdered Bildirici agrees. “Hate speech cannot following a campaign of hate speech be regarded as a part of freedom against him by nationalist media, a of expression; rather it is a crime - case which shocked Turkish society something illegal.” In the same way, and establishment into finally “you cannot consider the insult as acknowledging the problem of hate hate speech.” speech in the country. But public sentiment is in favour of Especially when it comes to controver- restrictions says Tiliç who believes sial topics, “the media is publishing that the measures to curb so-called news that shouldn’t be published,” blasphemy would be supported by says Bildirici. He believes that while most of the population, “Probably if this reporting does not directly you asked people if they were in cause violent acts to occur, “they favour of some measure of protection

54 Ibid 55 Daily news, December/13/2012 56 October/19/2012, Daily News 57 Ibid 43 INNOCENT MISTAKES

against insults to religion, they would low salaries for journalists are two of mostly agree.” the most significant issues. “The media has been seen as a business Arsan says many have concerns that by owners, who see media as a tool “the prime minister is trying to create to leverage their business rather a hate speech law, just to protect than as an end in itself. When there Islam from hate speech - not other are business interests, you cannot minorities. He is not interested in do proper reporting and be protecting their rights and freedoms independent.” - only in limiting freedom of speech against Islam.” Arsan fears that “at He says the level of responsibility the end of this legislative process, among the mainstream media is not we might have a new law which is all it could be, “We still see more not defending freedom of speech, emotions than facts in the news. In but also limiting the poor freedom of Turkish newspapers, even the front press that exists.” page is full of opinions and emotions.”

Deniz Ergürel, President of the Media This permeation of coverage by Association also feels that “a hate opinion and emotion is of course not crime with existing laws would be restricted to Turkey, however, but harmful for freedom of expression,” Bildirici believes that progress has adding that in his opinion, “These been made, “In the past there was should be taken as ethical rules not far more hate speech in the main- criminal laws.”58 stream media, but in recent years it is decreasing.” According to Ergürel, Journalism has improved substantially in Turkey, He attributes this to a greater mainly due to greater economic emphasis on ethics, laid out for prosperity. “People are looking for media workers in the form of clear better content and this creates a space written guidelines. However, “In for better journalism and greater other areas of the media, such as the diversity. Because there are more local, nationalist and Islamic papers, voices, more sources of information hate speech has not decreased.” than before, this creates a balance, there is less chance for misinformation, Çolakoğlu worries about freedom and this seems to make media more of speech from a perspective of responsible.” democracy. In his opinion, “tolerance in Turkey is dimming down. Lack of Yet some problems remain. Ergürel tolerance in society is to my mind the believes that media ownership and biggest threat - not only to freedom

44 58 Interview conducted at Media Association HQ on February 19, 2013 TURKEY: LIMITED PROTEST AND RAGING DEBATE

of speech but also to life - you can talk about religion without arguing or In Turkey we are be killed if someone doesn’t like you. causing offence. But it is becoming becoming less We have a track record of this, in the impossible day by day to talk about tolerant and 1970s around the time of the military Islam in the Muslim world as it is understanding of coup, people were killing each other always taken as criticism. Every day each other day for being leftist or rightist. So there is we are getting further away from by day. that tendency dormant out there.” secularism.” When it comes to religious affairs, “In Turkey we are It is a view that resonates with Ersan, becoming less tolerant and under- “There is no tolerance in this country. standing of each other day by day.” People should have a dialogue first and then react. This is a weakness in But generally speaking there are few Turkey: if we don’t like what people stereotypes about Westerners in the say, we feel they should disappear mainstream media, says Colakoglu, from society completely. In Turkey with only a minority portraying we have a hegemonic ideology, and events in a provocative manner, and if someone goes against this, we try these are generally marginalized by to exclude them from society. This is the majority of the population. very dangerous. Media is the major tool of this kind of ideology in society, Ergürel believes the response to and the new law could be another stereotypes on both sides lies in tool for the elimination of the enemies dialogue between communities. of the hegemonic ideology.” “Journalists have a big role in informing the public and creating According to Bildirici, “the heightened bridges,” he believes. “When jour- tensions and rise of minority Islamic nalists write stories based on the groups can be traced back to 9/11. emotions, and feelings of the people, Generally speaking, we are going in they stir up hatred between different the direction of more limits to and groups of people.” pressures on freedom of expression.” Bildirici said he had witnessed a rise He gives the example of Turkish in the number of complaints based news broadcasts showing extensive on perceived insults to religion or footage of the grieving relatives of content deemed “indecent” in the soldiers. “This creates friction on media. both sides. I think in the media, we need to create the language not He believes this is connected to the only of war reporting but also peace religious policies of the AKP and reporting. their influence. All religions should have dialogue; we should be able to

45 INNOCENT MISTAKES

Conclusions and Recommendations The Innocence of Muslims story highlights how media must be at the top of their game when reporting incidents of intolerance and hatred and particularly so when covering stories that can have a direct influence on the fragile relations that exist between religious communities. Still photo from the film Innocence of Muslims Still photo from CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is nothing easier, at times of These questions can never be satis- crisis, than for journalists to make factorily answered, but they should sweeping generalisations and place be addressed if media are to learn whole groups, nationalities and the lessons of an incident which religions into convenient boxes. added to the deep discontent in relations between religions, but This is what happened in much which may have had quite a different of western media after a series of impact if it had been reported in deadly protests in Muslim countries context. against a video mocking Islam, the Innocence of Muslims. The media When media get it wrong in the coverage was dominated by the midst of a rush to publish, it can notion of “Muslim rage” and the have disturbing consequences. One suggestion of deep-seated anger example among many is the instant and outrage within the Muslim reporting of the terrorist bombing of community worldwide. the Boston marathon in April 2013.

But was that really the case? Were In that tragic event three people Muslims everywhere incandescent were killed and 176 were injured. with indignation over this crude One of them was a young man of production? Did it deserve its place Saudi origin who, while in the hospital on the front pages and the nightly being treated for his wounds, had his news bulletins? Why did it catch fire apartment ransacked by police “in a in the newsrooms and did media do startling show of force.” He had been their job in tracking the origins of the targeted solely because he was from story and correcting the misinformation the Middle East. that they themselves put out? Perhaps most importantly, did media This was the basis for a report in the put the story in its proper context by tabloid New York Post which incorrectly giving equal coverage to the Muslim reported that 12 people were killed voices calling for non-violence?

47 INNOCENT MISTAKES

in the explosions and, more alarmingly, The online media and social networks that a “Saudi national who suffered reinforced the impact of these shrapnel wounds” had been identified mistakes and played a significant role as “a suspect.”59 in circulating false information in the first days of the crisis. Although there Police disowned the story, which were many instances of restraint was never corrected, but it spread and caution, both online and offline, quickly through the usual information there was a general failure to correct pipelines: within 48 hours the story these damaging initial impressions. had 48,000 Facebook likes and was tweeted more than 16,000 times. In Of particular importance is the fact, those responsible for the attack weight that reporting gives to voices were two US citizens of European of moderation and calm and those descent. calling for mutual respect and under- standing of the values and beliefs of The social network coverage of the others. Boston bombing led to an extraor- dinary burst of speculation - some In this case, the most common later described it as witch-hunting complaint, recognised by media - in which people caught on camera support groups themselves was a around the scene of the marathon singular failure to provide all side of tragedy were subject to harassment the story and to give equal space to as potential suspects in the bomb- mainstream, moderate and majority ings. Later in a surprising display of voices within the Muslim community humility, apologies emerged from speaking out against violence and some social networks sites.60 extremism and either calling for peaceful protests, or for the film to Similarly, the way the Innocence of be ignored altogether and dismissing Muslim story was handled in many the issue as trivial. countries underscored the dangers of unprofessionalism in media profiling Other media failings included: of people and events. a) Disproportionate focus on images Initial media coverage from of violence; agencies was highly inaccurate. This led to the wide circulation of b) Failure to properly establish the dangerous myths about the origins truth about the film’s origins; of the film that inflamed passions and hardened prejudices.

59 See http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/authorities_under_suspect_guard_y2m8cJO29uC2PDGI jYBalO?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost 60 See http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/22/4253320/reddit-apologizes-online-witch-hunt-boston-mara 48 thon-bombing CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

c) Slow response to the correction Protesters marched on the camps and circulation of false information of Ansar al-Sharia, the group whose about the film; Islamic fighters are believed to have been behind the terrorist attack. d) Widespread failures to establish Although a further 11 people were the true levels of support for the killed and 60 wounded, the extremists film within the Muslim community were forced to quit the area.61 at large; While the complexities of the story e) A general lack of informed analysis went unreported the nuanced debate, to explain the reasons for violence such as it was, once again highlighted and who was behind it. the gulf of understanding in the global debate about free speech. Many responsible media sought balance in their reporting and tried to correct their errors, but many Although it was produced in the US more did not. there was no possibility of prosecu- tion of the film’s producers for In some countries, Pakistan for the contentious content because instance, politicians encouraged a of constitutional protection. confrontational approach and gave fair wind to flagrant abuse of profes- The First Amendment of the American sionalism by major sections of media. Constitution protects free speech even where it is blasphemous and A measure of the lack of balance is when President Obama requested reflected in how many media down- YouTube to review its hosting of the played coverage of an outpouring video, the company said the video of popular anger in Benghazi, Libya, fell within its permissible guidelines where a few days after widely- because although it was against reported protests against the film, Islam, it was not directed against tens of thousands of people took Muslim people and thus not consid- to the streets - many more than in ered in these terms as hate speech. protests over the film - to confront militant Islamic extremists for using a On the other hand, many of the film’s demonstration over the film as cover critics across the Muslim world called for a terrorist attack and the killing of for action against the film and its US ambassador Chris Stevens. makers on the grounds of blasphemy. In Pakistan the government banned YouTube and joined with others,

61 See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/22/libyan-protesters-militia-benghazi 62 See http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/120925/muslim-nations-push-internation al-blasphemy-law 49 INNOCENT MISTAKES

including Turkey, to press the 56-nation tions. As a result media - some of Organisation of Islamic Co-operation them iconic world leaders in journalism to lobby at the United Nations for - are caught out in acts of a global blasphemy law that would unprofessionalism. criminalise religious defamation.62 The capacity of journalism to influence The Innocence of Muslims film may the norms and values of society by have widened the chasm of misun- providing news coverage and analysis derstanding over free expression, that provides context, proportion but it has once again highlighted the and reliability in equal measure is responsibility of media to maintain severely challenged. As a result, the highest professional standards there is the prospect of more bias, in reporting such events. prejudice and profound misunder- standing between communities. Above all media must not do anything that incites violence and hostility. The dangers are immense and more Journalists must embrace fully the must be done to raise awareness, instincts of their craft - to be truthful; both within the media industry and to be independent; to be impartial; to among policymakers, about the need show humanity; and to show humility for fresh actions to help journalists by correcting errors and responding and media avoid repeating their to the concerns of their audience. mistakes. Among the measures which may be useful are to: These ethical values, which best identify journalism in the information • Create a global databank of media chaos of the internet and social best practices to help journalists networking, are what separates jour- avoid hate speech and to strengthen nalism from the crowd. But as this levels of professionalism; report reveals journalism is stretched to breaking point in an age of intense • Establish a specific reporting media competition and by the demand process that will monitor media in for instant news, immediate analysis key countries and report annually and rapid explanations. on coverage of incidents of hate speech or acts of false, provocative Journalists and editors have little or unethical journalism particularly time to test the credibility of so-called in the field of reporting religious facts or to verify the images and affairs or relations between differ- opinions raining down on newsrooms ent communities; across all platforms of communica-

50 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• Promote more debate within journalism and the wider community of the need to raise awareness on the dangers of hate speech and violent provocation arising from use of online commu- nications and social networks’

• Encourage more research into specific aspects of media perfor- mance that have been identified as causes of concern in this case including verification of potentially inflammatory information prior to publication; publication of corrections and clarifications of false information; use of extremist and minority voices.

51