'US orders media silence over Bahrain'

[kpete]

‘US Orders Media Silence Over Bahrain’
-->3 Comments
Press TV
April 1st, 2011

President of Bahrain’s Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab says the US media have been ordered not to cover news on the government’s brutal crackdown on Bahraini people.

Reports from the Center’s colleagues in the United States say “In the US some news agencies and TV stations were asked not to report on Bahrain and not to embarrass
He went on to say that the US and the Western governments have chosen to keep silent over ongoing atrocities in Bahrain due to their support for the country’s authoritarian regime.

According to unconfirmed reports, over 420 people have been arrested during ongoing protests in the kingdom, Rajab pointed out.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/172567.html

[northoftheborder]

1. ????Bahrainian citizens unworthy? Libyan citizens worthy????????????????

I don't get it.

[Billy Burnett]

2. Here

“Exposed: The U.S.-Saudi Libya Deal”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x642494

[EFerrari]

11. I'm glad you reposted that as I'd lost the link. n/t

[NightWatcher]

3. We'll let you crush Bahrain if you let us invade Libya

You invade Bahrain. We take out Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. This, in short, is the essence of a deal struck between the Barack Obama administration and the House of Saud. Two diplomatic sources at the United Nations independently confirmed that Washington, via Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, gave the go-ahead for Saudi Arabia to invade Bahrain and crush the pro-democracy movement in their neighbor in exchange for a "yes"
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MD02Ak01.html

[malaise]

4. Duh!!!

Some humanity - Western backed dictators are humane - get it.
It's the same silence re Israel's brutality to the Palestinians.

[xchrom]

5. recommend

[Buzz Clik]

6. Gee, the title of the OP is pretty misleading.

Even if the government is meddling in the coverage, the difference between "some news agencies and TV stations were asked not to report on Bahrain" and "US orders media silence over Bahrain" is not subtle.

A recent survey by the Christian Science Monitor demonstrated that the Fox News audience was incredibly misinformed on current events. I'm guessing that such a survey for DU readers would show much the same thing.

[Lasher]

7. Kinda like the Wisconsin, et al. rallies.

But 200 teabaggers in DC get headlines!

[JoeyT]

20. Is that guy on the right a teabagger?

Because someone should kind of take him aside and tell him he's demanding either a public option or single payer. ;)

[Lasher]

22. I was struck by that irony.

The guy in the middle is one of ours, of course, but I'm sure the guy on the right is a bagger. These fuckers don't know what they want but they want it real bad.

[Swede]

8. Press tv is owned by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting

Hope you knew that.

[PufPuf23]

9. The fact that Bahrain is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet is also not mentioned.

from wiki:

The Fifth Fleet of the United States Navy is responsible for naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and coast off East Africa as far south as Kenya. It shares a commander and headquarters with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). The commander of the 5th Fleet is currently (2010) Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox.<1> Fifth Fleet/NAVCENT is a component command of, and reports to, CENTCOM.

Fifth Fleet was initially established 26 April 1944 from Central Pacific Force under the command of Admiral Raymond Spruance. The ships of the Fifth Fleet also formed the basis of the Third Fleet, which was the designation of the "Big Blue Fleet" when under the command of Admiral William Halsey. Spruance and Halsey would alternate command of the fleet for major operations, allowing the other admiral and his staff time to prepare for the subsequent one. A secondary benefit was confusing the Japanese into thinking that they were actually two separate fleets as the fleet designation flipped back and forth. Following the end of World War II, the 5th Fleet was deactivated as an operational command echelon within the U.S. Navy.

Prior to the first Gulf War in 1990-1991, U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf region were directed by the Commander, Middle Eastern Force (COMMIDEASTFOR). Since this organization was considered insufficiently equipped to manage large scale combat operations during the Gulf War, the U.S. Seventh Fleet, normally based in Japan, was given the temporary task of managing the force during the period. However no numbered fleet existed permanently within the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. By July 1995, a new numbered fleet was deemed necessary.<2> After a 48-year hiatus, the U.S. 5th Fleet was reactivated, replacing COMMIDEASTFOR, and it now directs operations in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea. Its headquarters are at NSA Bahrain located in Manama, Bahrain.


For the early years of its existence, its forces normally consisted of an Aircraft Carrier Battle Group (CVBG), an Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), surface combatants, submarines, maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and logistics ships. However, with the War on Terrorism, the naval strategy of the U.S. has changed. The regular deployments of the Cold War are now a thing of the past. Consequently, the policy of always maintaining a certain number of ships in various parts of the world is also over. However, its usual configuration now includes a Carrier Strike Group, Amphibious Ready Group or Expeditionary Strike Group, and other ships and aircraft with almost 15,000 people serving afloat and 1,000 support personnel ashore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Fifth_Fleet

[robdogbucky]

10. Here we go again: Egypt to Bahrain

US pledges for democracy may not extend to Bahrain, even if Obama finally supported Egypt's rebellion.

Mark Levine Last Modified: 18 Feb 2011 13:04

"...The larger question is: What is more essential to American security today, convenient bases for its ships, planes and troops across the Middle East, or a full transition to democracy throughout the region?...

...The Obama administration needs to tell us if that is still US policy, and if so why democracy is suddenly okay for Egyptians but not for Palestinians, or at least as of today, for Bahrainis...

...And the tests don't get any easier. Bahrain is child's play compared not merely to Yemen, which is a crucial base of Al-Qaeda (or so it is claimed) but even more so for Saudi Arabia, whose absolutely repressive regime is among the worst in almost every category possible, in direct proportion to its immense oil reserves and wealth...

...In finally supporting the Tahrir experiment, President Obama was, in effect, pledging to end decades of American hypocrisy in its policies towards the Middle East and larger Muslim world. But in order to live up to this promise he will have to develop one set of policies for all the peoples and countries of the region. And doing that will demand an even more costly break with the past, putting old allies at arm's length until they respect the rights of their peoples while embracing, however tentatively, groups that once seemed more easily characterised as, if not quite foes, then at least untrustworthy partners in securing American interests...


http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/201121882356449949.html

[wildbilln864]

12. k&r! nt

[freshwest]

13. The question remains, is it happening or not? And why is the US there? No debate in media on that.

[robdogbucky]

17. Is it happening or not?

Saudi soldiers sent into Bahrain Saudi troops and police from UAE deployed to Gulf neighbour to help protect government facilities after weeks of unrest.

english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/2011314124928850647.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Tue, 15 Mar 2011 04:06:17 GMT

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Footage shows crackdown in Bahrain YouTube clip appears to show man shot in chest with tear gas canister as police also use rubber bullets on protesters.

english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/03/201131375850321229.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:03:18 GMT

< More results from english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011 >

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Here we go again: Egypt to Bahrain US pledges for democracy may not extend to Bahrain, even if Obama finally supported Egypt's rebellion.

english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/201121882356449949.html
Opinion - Last Modified: Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:27:27 GMT

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Saudi Arabia's intervention in Bahrain We look at the regional implications of Saudi Arabia's decision to send troops into the neighbouring Gulf state.

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/03/2011316105616297611.html
Inside Story - Last Modified: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:55:51 GMT

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Bahrain on the brink Can the monarchy survive this latest round of unrest and what does it all mean for the region?

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011/02/2011219124750868594.html
Inside Story - Last Modified: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:30:17 GMT

< More results from english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2011 >

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Poll success for Bahrain Shia bloc Opposition bloc wins nearly half of the seats in Gulf state's parliament amid allegations of voting irregularities.

english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/2010102475648379231.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:07:34 GMT

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'Terror' charges for Bahrain Shias Detained activists accused of conspiring against the Gulf state's government in run-up to parliamentary polls.

english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/10/2010101493420619609.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 12:50:07 GMT

< More results from english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010 >

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Bahrain cancels Formula One race Crown prince says nation must "focus on issues of national interest" as Grand Prix event is called off amid unrest.

english.aljazeera.net/sport/2011/02/2011221162210362107.html
Sport - Last Modified: Mon, 21 Feb 2011 11:32:37 GMT

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The battle for Bahrain Khalid al-Khalifa, Bahrain's foreign minister, discusses the turmoil in his country.

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/frostovertheworld/2011/02/201122612848778670.html
Frost Over the World - Last Modified: Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:36:08 GMT

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Bahrain: Fighting for change As unrest sweeps through the Middle East, People & Power looks at the mounting pressure for reform in Bahrain.

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/03/201138153916892448.html
People & Power - Last Modified: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:12:22 GMT

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Country profile: Bahrain ... Middle East. Country profile: Bahrain. ... Society. Bahrain has a population
of 807,000 people, according to 2010 UN figures. ...

english.aljazeera.net/news/2011/02/201121672113476490.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Fri, 18 Feb 2011 09:30:23 GMT

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A 'time for martyrs' in Bahrain Demonstrators rally in the island kingdom, demanding political change at protests, funeral processions and hospitals.

english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/02/2011220144153537485.html
Features - Last Modified: Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:34:00 GMT

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Demanding equal rights in Bahrain Many Shia citizens of Gulf island demand ouster of PM, and less power for the ruling Khalifa family.

english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/02/201122711137430846.html
Features - Last Modified: Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:11:25 GMT

< More results from english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011 >

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Bahrain elections: Rising tensions As the Gulf state's Shia opposition won the parliamentary elections, what does the victory mean for sectarian issues?

english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2010/10/20101026103125274242.html
Inside Story - Last Modified: Sun, 09 Jan 2011 11:58:06 GMT

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US balancing act on Bahrain US faces tough task advocating democracy while dealing with key strategic ally in the region.

english.aljazeera.net/video/middleeast/2011/02/201121974024107206.html
Middle East - Last Modified: Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:50:17 GMT


In an unrelated but telling note:


More Americans Believe in Devil & Angels than Evolution


The new survey by an American polling firm reports that more Americans believe in the devil, hell and angels than Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. Further, a substantial amount of American also believe in ghosts, UFOs, witches, astrology, and personal resurrection.

The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll, which polled 2,126 Americans nationwide.

The poll showed once again the piousness of the American public with 80% professing belief in God, 75% in miracles, 73% in heaven, 71% angels, 70% in the resurrection of Jesus, 68% in an afterlife, 62% in hell, 61% in the Virgin birth of Jesus, and 59% in the devil.

Although only a minority of Americans believe in Evolution, more do so than those with pronounced belief in Creationism; which seeks to find a role for God in the science of the universe and nature. 47% of Americans believe in Evolution while 40% believe in Creationism...

As for numbers on the odd beliefs: 44% believe in ghosts, 36% UFOs, 31% astrology, and 24% in reincarnation.

http://marcovilla.instablogs.com/entry/more-americans-believe-in-devil-angels-than-evolution/

[freshwest]

19. Then it appears that presstv, or cough, cough *iranian* isn't making it up!

Thanks for the links, we need to accept not only what is going on. But what we are, in truth.

Saw a David Horowitz article posted on DU crowing how we won the war in Iraq and now should take the spoils.

We need to define what we are sans the labels.

Empire? Republic? Something very old or very new? Or both?

Is this what we want our lives and those of children to live?

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. But THIS Bahrain news, that they publish:

GE names president & CEO for Saudi, Bahrain
Riyadh: 6 hours and 21 minutes ago

GE, a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company, has appointed Walid Abukhaled as its president and chief executive officer of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Based in Riyadh, Abukhaled will be responsible for leading the company’s operations in the two kingdoms, accelerating the growth and exploring further opportunities for broadening public private partnerships.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the key markets for GE in the Middle East region, where our ‘company to country’ approach delivers tailored solutions that meet the Kingdom’s requirements for long-term sustainability and economic competitiveness,” said Nabil Habayeb, GE’s president & CEO for the Middle East and Africa region.

“A trusted partner in achieving the Kingdom’s ambitious social and economic growth strategies, GE’s appointment of Walid, who brings in-depth insights on the Saudi market, perfectly complements our development goals,” he added.

Abukhaled said: “Among the most competitive nations in the world today, Saudi Arabia offers an unmatched landscape of economic growth opportunities across diversified sectors.”

More, much more:
http://www.tradearabia.com/news/OGN_196174.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. Saudi officials say US traded silence in Bahrain for Saudi backing in Libya

Saudi officials say they gave their backing to Western air strikes on Libya in exchange for the United States muting its criticism of the authorities in Bahrain, a close ally of the desert kingdom.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/bahrain/8416953/Bahrain-hardliners-to-put-Shia-MPs-on-trial.html

[dipsydoodle]

16. It is a bit odd

I just Googled "Bahrain protests" and first and first result was the BBC 16th March :
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12755852
and what looked to be the most recent The Daily Mail 25th March. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1359574/Bahrain-protests-King-Hamad-bin-Isa-al-Khalifah-orders-release-political-prisoners.html

[robdogbucky]

18. Notice the date

And what has happened since this date. Dates and events are important:


Bahrain unrest tests US diplomacy

As anger boils on the island, the US is caught between 'democracy promotion' and its military interests.

Jim Lobe Last Modified: 18 Feb 2011 16:08 GMT

"Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, has expressed "deep concerns" about the deadly attack on hundreds of sleeping anti-government protestors carried out by Bahrain's security forces at a central square in the capital, Manama, earlier this week...

"...If you come out in favour of change, then you are at considerable risk of damaging your political-military equities. If you bow openly to expedience of military interests, then you are discrediting yourself morally and ideologically," said in an interview. "There are moments when silence and respect for the ability of others to straighten out their own politics may be the best course."

Freeman noted that much more besides the naval base could be at stake given Saudi Arabia's strong interest in the outcome of the current crisis.

"My guess is that the Saudis will not tolerate excessive unrest in Bahrain, not least because the Bahraini Shias are closely related by kinship to Saudi Arabia's Shias minority; that is, the portion of it that sits atop the oil fields in the Eastern Province," he said. "So what happens in Bahrain has considerable implications for what could happen in the Eastern Province..."

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/02/2011218152740793787.html#



Bahrain 'asks for Gulf help'

Officials say troops from neighbouring states needed to "maintain order and security" as pro-reform protests continue.

Last Modified: 14 Mar 2011 06:54 GMT

"...There is a federal law which bars the US government from providing military aid to security forces which commit human rights abuses, though that requirement is often ignored.

Bahrain received roughly $19 million in military aid from the US in 2010, and expects to receive a similar amount this year.

But apart from rhetorical condemnation, the US has yet to take any action against Bahrain's government.

Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, met with King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa in Manama on Saturday, and while he urged political reforms, he also praised Bahrain's government for moving ahead with "a process of reform while sustaining stability and continuity..."

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/bahrain/2011/03/201131454020610721.html#



Saudi presence 'fuels' strife fears

The deployment of more than 1,000 Saudi troops to Bahrain could increase the Sunni-Shia divide, analysts say.

David Elkins and Aprille Muscara Last Modified: 15 Mar 2011 15:07 GMT

"...The GCC mobilisation into Bahrain follows an unannounced visit by US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates to the country Saturday, in which he urged the ruling family to enact sweeping reforms – not "baby steps" – to accommodate opposition protesters.

According to media reports, Gates warned the al-Khalifa government that, although there was no evidence that Iran inflamed the demonstrations in their country, continued unrest would provide fodder for exploitation by the Iranians.

Two days later, following a request by al-Khalifa, the GCC deployed troops to the island kingdom, which some observers see as a message for both Washington and Tehran to stay out of the Gulf's affairs and an expression of support for the besieged regime...

"...This is not an invasion of a country," Carney argued at a press conference Monday. However, he stressed, "stability in the region will be brought about by dialogue and political reform and it is counterproductive to that goal to, in any way, repress the expression of those desires."

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/03/201131514304128920.html#

[bvar22]

21. Well they can't really let Bahrain get any news time.

It really discredits the great "Humanitarian" Bombing of Libya.

Very bad for the marketing of the NEW WAR!