Dueling Middle East Headlines of the Day
When studying media bias, or allegations of media bias, it is always helpful to examine how different media outlets report the same event. From the choice of headlines, to the choice of terminology, to editorial decisions about what facts to report, ignore, highlight or downplay, media bias can — and, when it comes to reporting on the long running conflict between the Arab world and Israel, often does — become apparent.
Today’s example comes from one of my favorite subjects of study, the AFP, which has exhibited a marked penchant over the years for downplaying any threats to Israel and exaggerating Israel’s actions.
The context of today’s case study is follow-up reporting to the recent arrest in Kenya of two Iranian agents who were in possession of a significant amount of military-grade explosives. Here is today’s AFP report on the subject:
Israel accuses Iran of plotting attacks in Kenya
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday accused Iran of plotting attacks against Israel in Kenya after the arrest of two Iranians in possession of explosives in the African country.
“Iranian terrorism knows no borders,” the Israeli leader was quoted as saying in a statement from his office.
The allegation comes after the US last year said Iran had plotted to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States.
“After Iran sent its agents to murder the Saudi ambassador on US soil, the country has engaged in attacks in Azerbaijan, Bangkok, in Tbilisi, in New Delhi, and now we have just discovered a plot for a terrorist attack in Africa,” Netanyahu said.
“The international community must fight against this major player in the world of terrorism,” he added.
On June 25, a Kenyan court charged two Iranians with illegal possession of 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of the powerful explosive RDX, according to the charge sheet presented in court.
Both men have denied the charges.
The Iranian foreign ministry said on Saturday it was seeking information about their case, refusing to make further comment.
In AFP-land, the intention of the two Iranian agents arrested in Kenya is merely an accusation/allegation made by Israel and its Prime Minister, who is trying to instigate world action against the Iranian regime. Coming in the wake of months (years?) of “reporting” on Israeli “threats” to bomb Iran and its efforts to get the world community (that is, the United States) to attack Iran, the implication is clear — Israel is once again exaggerating the Iranian threat and leveling accusations against Iran in order to justify its expected actions against that state.
A very different picture, however, emerges from the reporting of the Associated Press, as reprinted in the Washington Post:
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, July 2, 4:37 PMAP
NAIROBI, Kenya — Officials in Kenya say that two Iranian agents arrested with explosives planned to attack Israeli, American, British or Saudi Arabian targets inside Kenya.
The officials said Monday that the plot appears to fit into a global pattern of attacks or attempted attacks by Iranian agents, mostly against Israeli interests.Kenyan security forces arrested the Iranians in June and were led to 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of RDX, a powerful explosive, in the coastal city of Mombasa. Several hotels on the coast are Israeli-owned.
One official said the Iranians are members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, an elite and secretive unit. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing security issues.
Sourcing officials in Kenya, where the Iranian agents were arrested and have been criminally charged, the AP gives a much clearer picture of a plot by Iran — members of the IRGC’s Quds Force do not freelance — to atack targets in Kenya associated with Iran’s antagonists, the U.S., Britain, Israel and Saudi Arabia. To their credit (I try to give it when it is due), the AP and WaPo are not trying to spin this story as a case of Israel’s “right wing” prime minister making accusations or exaggerating the Iranian threat in order to puruse his own war-mongering against Iran.
Shame on AFP for letting its editorial viewpoint color its reporting on the subject.