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For Understanding and Peace in the Middle East |
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NECEF |
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Further to our Media Study of 2006, we have included below a description by NECEF Board Member Mordecai Briemberg of what appears to be another silencing tactic. In this case, corporate media giant Canwest has launched an apparently vexatious litigation. Canwest has fought in court for freedom of the press ostensibly under the rubric of freedom of speech, implying a freedom of thought and ideas. Yet litigation as described below threatens to stifle thought and truthful insights, and thus belies the motive of such an organization. It is truly remarkable that a corporate media empire attempting to maintain even a veneer of respectability would undertake such an effort. Ultimately, this action can be inferred as a cogent commentary on the bias in Middle East reporting as published by Canwest, and the fear of competing perspectives invariably communicated outside of the control of their editorial boardroom. |
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By Mordecai Briemberg
Long-time NECEF Board of Directors' member is sued by media conglomerate for the publication of a satire (of which he was not the publisher, editor or writer) on the media bias in the coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
SATIRE In early June 2007 a satirical edition of “The Vancouver Sun” newspaper, a mass circulation daily in B.C. was produced and copies distributed. The slim four-page satire was the same dimension as the commercial newspaper and bore the trade-mark name on the front page. In other respects – bulk, news articles, authors and ‘advertising’ – it was an obvious parody. Indeed on page two it read: “Who produced this Vancouver Sun parody and why?” [No individual names were provided]. Coinciding with the 40th year of the Israeli occupation of territories conquered in 1967, the satire focused on the biased media coverage of Israel/Palestine. Front page headlines included “Study Shows Truth Biased Against Israel” by “Cyn Sorsheep”. The weather report read “Operation Summer Rains with occasional missile showers and chance of tank shelling in the afternoon” Below the trademark name, in place of where the commercial paper prints the date of publication and the slogan “seriously westcoast since 1912” appear these words: “seriously zionist since 2001” and “occupationday, June 2007”.
SUIT Six months later, CanWest, the media conglomerate that owns the Vancouver Sun and much more, launched a legal suit. The suit lists a print shop and myself, Mordecai Briemberg, as the only named defendants. It then pads out the list of “defendants” with six unnamed: John Doe #1, John Doe #2, John Doe #3, and Jane Doe #1, Jane Doe #2, Jane Doe #3. While ostensibly centering on a commercial violation of a trade mark, the charges read like a political attack. My name is continually linked to Canada Palestine Support Network, a group that had nothing to do with the parody. Our opinions are the target of denigration. CanWest demands a sweeping variety of financial remedies and also wants an injunction restraining me from “publishing injurious falsehoods by way of newspapers or other publications, on the internet or otherwise”. Who is to be the arbiter of “falsehood”? Galileo had that problem with the Papacy did he not. I have always been proud to publish anything I have to say under my own name, and to hold myself accountable for my words, ideas and actions. But, the fact is: I had nothing to do with the conception, creation, production or financing of this satire, and I do not know who did. After the satire was produced, some copies were left on a table at a public meeting. It was only then that I learned of the existence of the satire. After perusing it I picked up a small handful, and later distributed them. For that single democratic act, a media giant with unlimited financial resources and a big time grudge against any criticism of Israel has taken me to court. But if that were all I had ever done, I think it more likely I would be just another “John Doe” on their list. Or maybe there wouldn’t be any suit at all. I am proud to affirm I have done much more than hand out a few copies of a legitimate satire. For decades, I have written for magazines and papers, published research, spoken at union conventions, churches, peace forums, universities and colleges, been interviewed on television and radio, interviewed others on radio, organized demonstrations, organized public meetings. In short I have been a prominent and vocal alternative voice in the intense debate about how to achieve peace and justice for Palestinians and Jews in historic Palestine. This, I believe, is my “crime” in their eyes. The question is: why do some of those who disagree with my viewpoints want to silence my voice, instead of letting Canadians come to their own conclusions, after hearing and considering a variety of perspectives? Why does a process of democratic discussion so trouble such people? Do they lack confidence that their views are grounded in fact, logic and ethics and can withstand critical examination?
DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS At stake is the democratic right to use satire and other forms of humour to critique those in positions of power and wealth. At stake is the right to be free from arbitrary harassment and vendettas. At stake is the right to continue with the public expression of controversial opinions, on the controversial issues related to historic Palestine and Israel. In response, it is necessary to tell CanWest to drop its legal suit and end its harassment. In response, it is necessary to advocate for open, uncensored discussion and exchange of ideas on the present situation and past history of Palestine/Israel – discussion and exchange where no one seeks to silence or punish those with whom they disagree. In response, it is necessary for people to refuse to bow before intimidation. Maintaining dignity, we need to continue publicly sharing our information, viewpoints and proposals.
For more information and to express support contact Mordecai Briemberg (mbriemberg@shaw.ca)
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A JOURNEY FROM SATIRE TO LEGAL SUIT TO DEFENSE OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS |
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Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of Canada |
