Newsflash

image 

Sudan criticised both U.S. vice-presidential contenders on Sunday for suggesting they might support a no-fly zone over Darfur, saying the plan showed they knew little about the conflict.

Many activists have called for the U.N. to police a no-fly zone over the region to stop attacks.

Sarah Palin, the Republican governor of Alaska, said she supported a flight ban in Sudan's remote west during a televised debate with her Democratic rival Joe Biden on Thursday.

Biden, the Democratic senator from Delaware, did not explicitly call for a ban but said: "I don't have the stomach for genocide when it comes to Darfur. We can now impose a no-fly zone. It is within our capacity. We can lead NATO if we are willing to take a hard stand."

But Sudanese foreign ministry spokesman Ali al-Sadig on Sunday dismissed the statements of both candidates saying a no-fly zone would be impractical and useless.

"They know very little about what is going on here," he said. "Their statements were meant for local consumption. They had nothing to do with Darfur."

Sadig said an air ban would be ineffective because the Sudanese armed forces were not using aircraft in their ongoing struggle against rebel groups in Darfur.

He said government planes and helicopters were only being used to fight bandits and protect humanitarian convoys.

"It would be a very short-sighted move. Curbing the actions of the armed forces would impede the flow of humanitarian aid to Darfur and tie the hands of the government in its efforts to prevent attacks on aid convoys," he added.

Earlier his year, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would like to move ahead with a no-fly zone for Darfur "if it were at all possible".

But British foreign ministry officials later said they were not pursuing a ban because it would restrict humanitarian work. Darfur's size and a shortage of planes to monitor the ban would also make it "a major logistical challenge", they added. The remote western region is roughly the same size as Spain.


Reuters
http://www.worldbulletin.net/ , printed on 06.10.2008.

 
Home arrow About Us
About Us PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 19 March 2008
Mission Statement

The aspiration of the Media Review Network is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding among the diverse people of our country.
The Media Review Network believes that Muslim perspectives on issues impacting on South Africans are a prerequisite to a better appreciation of Islam.

Background Motivation

There are more than one million Muslims living in South Africa. In the past, and on a
continuous basis, the mainstream media represent who we are and what we represent
for the general South African public.
Our views and opinions, our policy positions and strategic interests have always either been ignored or deliberately distorted.
As Muslims, we need to have our opinions and insights heard on a daily basis as a matter of routine, rather than as an exception.

The Media Review Network, given its experience, the commitment of its members and as a result of gracious donors and support from the public, is well placed to spearhead the task of meeting challenges posed by a sophisticated mass communication system.
The interaction with organs of the media can no longer remain a marginal activity by a handful of individuals.

Aims and Objectives

  • To monitor, analyze and evaluate distortions, fabrications and double standards in the mass media;
  • To research the impact caused by such misrepresentations and publish these findings regularly;
  • To arouse curiosity, inquiry, research and interest in Islam;
  • To counter the onslaught on Islam, it’s norms and values;
  • To identify and nullify certain stereotypes eg: “terrorists”, “fundamentalists”, “radicals”, “fanatics”, etc.
  • To express alternate perspectives and policy positions on local and international issues;
  • To be proactive in projecting and promoting Islam;
  • To establish rapport with journalists, editors and key opinion formers;
  • To source appropriately qualified and articulate spokes-persons to represent Muslims on radio and TV; and to widen the network of informed Muslims to address the print media;
  • To hold seminars and workshops on information gathering and dissemination;
  • To promote the training of committed Muslims in the specialized fields of communications and journalism;
  • To establish an effective network of co-operation with Muslims engaged in the publication of Islamic magazines, periodicals, and newspapers and with those engaged in community Islamic radio stations.

 

 

News Feed


Press TV
PRESS TV RSS News
China hotel blaze kills 8, injures 16
Eight people have been killed and another 16 injured after a fire broke out in a hotel in northeastern China, according to media reports.
Aubry voted France's Socialists leader
Martine Aubry, who gave France the 35-hour work week, has beaten Segolene Royal to win the leadership for the French Socialist party.
Fresh 'US strike' kills 4 in Pakistan
Another strike by suspected US drones has killed four militants and injured 16 others in Pakistan's troubled northwestern tribal area.
Turkey might end Ocalan's isolation
Turkey may end the solitary confinement of Abdullah Ocalan, amid calls from human rights groups concerned about his mental health.
Eight wounded in Bangkok blast
A pre-dawn bomb attack has left eight Thai anti-government protesters wounded in Bangkok on Saturday a day ahead of a major rally.
BBC News Feed
BBC News | Middle East | World Edition
Iraqis protest against troop deal
Supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr stage protests in Baghdad against a deal to allow US troops to remain in Iraq.
Security increase in tense Hebron
Israel increases security in the West Bank city of Hebron ahead of a Jewish pilgrimage there by an expected 20,000 people.
Shoot-out in north Lebanon city
One person is killed and three are wounded in a shoot-out in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli, security forces say.
Security draws Iraqi doctors home
Improved security in Iraq has led to 800 doctors returning so far this year, a senior health ministry official says.
Iraq leader defends US troop deal
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki defends a deal on the presence of US forces in Iraq, saying it preserves Iraqi sovereignty.

Who's Online

© 2008 Media Review | Website Designed and Optimised by Go Fish Client Catchers