Thread:
Dear @RobertWrighter:
I have benefited in past from @BloggingHeads, so it is disturbing that the platform was handed over for 90 minutes to an activist pushing misinformation on #Syria, primarily to attack #WhiteHelmets and to deny #ChemicalAttacks.
Dear @RobertWrighter:
I have benefited in past from @BloggingHeads, so it is disturbing that the platform was handed over for 90 minutes to an activist pushing misinformation on #Syria, primarily to attack #WhiteHelmets and to deny #ChemicalAttacks.
In 90 minutes, the activist offered almost no reliable information. Instead, he used @BloggingHeads for a series of misrepresentations and sometimes falsehoods.
1. He claims "journalistic malpractice" in BBC Radio 4 documentary #Mayday w/o citing single example.
#Syria
1. He claims "journalistic malpractice" in BBC Radio 4 documentary #Mayday w/o citing single example.
#Syria
2. His only "evidence" on #Douma #ChemicalAttack is a misrepresentation of tweets by @DalatRM and an incorrect claim about Robert Fisk.
3. He misrepresents creation of #WhiteHelmets
4. He falsely claims WH "took part in executions".
#Syria
3. He misrepresents creation of #WhiteHelmets
4. He falsely claims WH "took part in executions".
#Syria
5. He misrepresents #WhiteHelmets "celebrating w Al Qa'eda" in a "town in #Idlib Province" (not realizing that it is Idlib city)
6. He claims WH "ties with jihadists" w no evidence
7. His claims are ill-informed, at best, about start & course of #Syria conflict.
6. He claims WH "ties with jihadists" w no evidence
7. His claims are ill-informed, at best, about start & course of #Syria conflict.
8. Specifically, he is ignorant re intervention by #Iran and #Hezbollah & how and why it occurred.
9. He distorts audit findings re #WhiteHelmets and #JamesLeMesurier (adding ad hominem v. LeMesurier).
10. W no evidence, he claims 2013 #EastGhouta sarin attack was "false flag".
9. He distorts audit findings re #WhiteHelmets and #JamesLeMesurier (adding ad hominem v. LeMesurier).
10. W no evidence, he claims 2013 #EastGhouta sarin attack was "false flag".
11. He misrepresents #OPCW process & findings on #Douma (using assertions fed to him by 1 ex-OPCW staffer, personal view of 1 other ex-staffer, and no other evidence).
12. His only other "evidence" is that an #OPCW official "says 'like' a lot".
12. His only other "evidence" is that an #OPCW official "says 'like' a lot".
So @robertwrighter, you could have reached out to #Syria specialists who have done detailed research & analysis, discussing their evidence. You might have tried interviewing @ChloeHadj about #Mayday. You might have talked w those documenting #ChemicalAttacks.
#Syria
#Syria
At least you could have pressed activist about unsupported and distorted claims, given he has been unable to answer v. 1st challenging questions on #Twitter re #WhiteHelmets and #Douma.
This is not a question of "balance". You cannot balance misinformation/misrepresentation.
It is a question of doing justice to #Syria and Syrians with a starting point of reliable information and analysis. I think that's the least you can do for viewers.
Best --- Scott
It is a question of doing justice to #Syria and Syrians with a starting point of reliable information and analysis. I think that's the least you can do for viewers.
Best --- Scott
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