It's within Al Jazeera's rights to broadcast when they want but it's very rare for an international broadcaster to schedule a programme, announce it, and then drop it without explanation. Being state-owned, Al Jazeera's actions are attracting all manner of conspiracy theories 1/
Conspiracy 1: UAE, capital Dubai, is angry that it is being projected as capital of gold crime (which it is) and has sent strong objection. Maybe, but sounds unlikely, not least because there's no love lost with Qatar, and no expectation of reciprocal favours 2/
Conspiracy 2: Zimbabwe's presidency sent protest to Qatar, warning Al Jazeera revelations can collapse government, reminding Qatar of friendly relations - Qatar Airways route and Al Jazeera's own accreditation denied to CNN, Sky News & BBC - + warning of mortal harm. Perhaps 2/
Conspiracy 3: Some say Al Jazeera had some expert witnesses, 1 or 2 - not targets of investigation but those that comment on the revelations - asking to be removed from programme fearing being targeted by regime after strong response to teasers for #GoldMafia. Persuasive 3/
Hunch: Al Jazeera have only postponed and not cancelled #GoldMafia. Whatever it is, not by their design, this will be most eagerly followed corruption expose in history of Africa. Delay is terrorising corrupt cartels with anxiety. A leak is inevitable, if they don't show it 4/4
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