US and Western Media Use ‘Freedom of Speech’ Selectively: Turkey RIZE Conference

"CIA and 14 other US’s intelligence agencies with billions of dollars budget completely failed to stop the 9/11 attacks yet not one in the US media questioned the failure. No one was sacked for incompetence; no heads were rolled. US media did not question the competence of these organisations and their bosses. That is self-censorship, selective freedom of speech or both” said Dr Shahid Qureshi while speaking at the Black Sea International Media Congress in Turkish city of RIZE on 21 October 2017.

The comment was in response to a statement made by FOX News Turkey’s bureau chief about an operation conducted by MIT (Turkish Intelligence where few trucks were used). Senior Turkish journalist Mehmet Acet describe it a ‘dirty operation’.

"I am not saying we should not question their actions, but at the right forum and right time. But here in Turkey and other countries including Pakistan some journalists and politicians are good at ‘scoring their own goals’. That cause embarrassment to the country and gives a chance to the hostile international media to run stories on those comments.

Dr Shahid Qureshi said: "In United Kingdom we (journalists) don’t get hyper in the competition of breaking news especially where police or security service are involved in a live operation.

The reason behind it is that your ‘super hyper reporting’ might jeopardize a live operation and lives could be lost. So, the usual drill is we (journalists) contact their press office and get the instructions or ask for a comment. This is responsible and ethical reporting”.

Dr Qureshi said: "All the professional bodies of Medical Doctors, Engineers, Professors (academics), Architects, Nurses, Social workers regulate and accredit their members after thoroughly scrutinizing their credentials and qualifications. It is compulsory for these professionals to have the active paid membership and continuously follow their skills and knowledge.

However, in media and journalism profession anybody can join the organisation with the help of the rich owner and next day started flashing his press ID card to get access. This is a dangerous practice and that seems to be the reason, so many people are in prisons in Turkey.

"I am not saying journalists don’t face repression and mistreatment, they do but their credentials are known to international media monitoring bodies like RSF and CPJ. Journalists should protect their own profession from elements who are involved in criminality and using media as protection of their businesses”.

Left to Right: Mehmet Acet - Channel 7 (moderator), Mustafa Kartogul - Star Gazzetes, Sedat Bozkurt - FOX TV, Dr Shahid Qureshi, The London Post — Left to Right: Mehmet Acet – Channel 7 (moderator), Mustafa Kartogul – Star Gazzetes, Sedat Bozkurt – FOX TV, Dr Shahid Qureshi, The London Post

Journalists are not prosecutors, judges, or lawyers and should not act like one too. They are to report accurately without bias and with honesty. Journalists are not above the law and in case of their involvement any criminal act should be treated same as any other person” said Dr Qureshi.

Below is the transcript of speech:

"Turkey’s Media Challenges and human resource development”

By Dr Shahid Qureshi

Black Sea International Media and Tourism Conference: Rize (21 October 2017)

Journalists are the most oppressed, abused and professionals among all the professions. They expose every one’s corruption and do things in national and public interests but there is no one who is looking after their well-being? In most cases it journalists and media has become a tool in the hands of rich and powerful both countries and individuals. The role of electronic media in the post 9/11 world exposed the vulnerability of the media persons. War parties pushed through their narrative violating all the ethics of journalists and media. Then came the defence contractors and arms dealers with the backing of corrupt bankers and financial terrorists.

Like many countries Turkey was also not aware with the threats and challenges coming 4thgeneration media and psychological warfare. The deception of the war mongers and use of catch phrases like ‘WMDS – Weapons of Mass Destruction to get the attention of the people locally and internationally Western and US media played a key role in waging an illegal war on Iraq. This war was later extended to Syria. Hence, we see Turkish border from Iran to Syria is on fire which created millions of refugees and destabilized the whole regions. Not to mention the internally displaced people. This destabilization is not created by the enemies of Turkey but its NATO allies especially USA. That is also included branding and re branding to terrorism starting with the support of Mujahideen against the soviets in 1979, which later become Taliban, Al-Qaeeda, ISIS / Daesh.

Hilary Clinton US presidential candidate and former Secretary of State publicly admitted that we (US) crated and trained them (Taliban) and now we are fighting with them. I have not seen any politician or leader in the world to challenge that statement and question the legitimacy of the wars inflicted by the US and allies. Instead everyone is toeing the line – narrative. Both Pakistan and Turkey have suffered heavy losses due to this policy of deception.

Following needs to addressed, checked and assessed:

What are the challenges: Local, Regional and International?

Challenges and problems in correct Diagnosis – Obstacles and Hurdles

What are the Pressure Points? – Human and technological

Identifying and countering challenges from internal collaborators, abettors and aiders

Psychological profiling of internal hostile elements and neutralising

Developing an internal strategy

Developing international strategy

Smart use of existing resources and developing more

Developing a live and Proactive Strategy to counter challenges

Neutralising the hostile narrative and replacing with positive image and narrative

Use of Mafia groups in terrorism and terror financing

Breaking up of police system of local intelligence – mafia syndication

Judicial system failure

White collar to Red collar crimes of mafia gangs.

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Mehmet Acet – Channel 7, Sebnem Bursali (ATV), Sinan Burhan (Head of TV Media Organisation), Dr Shahid Qureshi, The London Post, Fatih Atik – A Heber, IBrahim Toru, Senior Journalist.

Thank you

(Dr Shahid Qureshi is senior analyst with BBC and chief editor of The London Post. He writes on security, terrorism and foreign policy. He also appears as analyst on Al-Jazeera, Press TV, MBC, Kazak TV (Kazakhstan), LBC Radio London. He was also international election observer for Kazakhstan 2015 and 2016 and Pakistan 2002. He has written a famous book "War on Terror and Siege of Pakistan” published in 2009. He wrote his MA thesis on ‘Political Thought of Imam Khomeini’ and visited Tehran University. He is PhD in ‘Political Psychology’ also studied Law at a British University. He also speaks at Cambridge University)

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