GWYNNIE�S MEDIA INNUENDO AWARD � CATEGORY: HEADLINE
We have awarded November�s Media Innuendo Award to London�s Metro newspaper (the free paper distributed by London�s public transportation system, www.metro.co.uk) for this classically (and probably intentionally) misleading headline, which perfectly illustrates the media�s ability to imply conclusions not warranted by the facts:
Blair told: War has fuelled terrorism
�
On our return from England, we showed this newspaper to an educated group of New England Yankees and asked a simple, professorial question: �What is the Fact revealed here?� �Shame on them � they were suckered in and talked about the war and its effect on terrorism. �NO, children, the Fact here is that Blair was told something! �In the Metro�s paragraph one, we learn that this came from �his own advisors�. �In paragraph two, we learn it came from �a group of Islamic experts appointed in the wake of the July 7 bombings in London�. �In paragraph six, we are told that �the experts ranged from Inayat Bungawala, of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, to outspoken �curry king� Sir Gulam Noon.�
�
We had to turn to the Daily Telegraph to learn that the entire panel was composed of Muslims opposed to any attempt to outlaw radical groups such as Hizb-ut-tahrir and Muhajiroun, saying such an attempt �risked alienating law-abiding Muslims and driving fanatics underground.� �The Muslim report concluded that the Government�s Terrorism Bill �could lead to a significant chill factor in the Muslim community in expressing legitimate support for self-determination struggles around the world.� �Like al-Qaeda, of course.
Knowing, then, from where the report came and its biases, go back to the headline: the Fact is that Blair received biased opinion from a special interest group attempting to influence legislation; the headline phrases it in such a clever way that it appears that the group�s conclusion is the Fact the Metro is reporting.
The Metro clearly deserves this month�s Media Innuendo Award.
