Dispatches - what Muslims want - C4

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 07 Aug 2006, 17:32

Will anyone watch this? Its another one of those what makes angry people tick types of shows, personally I don't want to see airtime given to people who sympathise with 7/7

Still unless we can work out WHY they're like that we won't understand them, no? You could also argue if we don't give them publicity, these people will just leave us alone

The trailers showed a picture and next to it the captions said "Born in Britain, Supports his local team, likes chips" etc, then "Hates Tony Blair" (actually I think most British dislike him

) and finally "Sympathises with the July 7 bombers"

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 07 Aug 2006, 18:28

When's it on? An important fact I think

. It sounds good.

Personally I think it's exactly what a democracy should do: give airtime to people who sympathise with terrorists.

You could also argue if we don't give them publicity, these people will just leave us alone

No offence but you don't seriously believe that?

I don't hate Tony Blair, hates a strong word. He's much more intelligent and charismatic than Bush.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 07 Aug 2006, 18:55

Its on tonight at 8pm on C4

I don't hate Blair either, as you say he has charisma and seems to know what he's doing, his heart is in the right place IMO. He seems quite "normal" for a politician

Well, no I don't literally believe that but its like when the BBC/ITV kept showing that video by one of the 7/7 bombers, isn't that they want, more airtime for their cause? The bloke on the video was abhorrent, an utter prick IMO.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 07 Aug 2006, 20:07

I missed it Brad, did you see it?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 07 Aug 2006, 21:10

I've been sitting here since about 7pm (jeez 3 hours) guess

. I need more notice than that to set my HD Recorder.

He seems quite "normal" for a politician

Agreed. Which is an odd thing indeed. I never trust politicians completely as they all have an agenda (including Blair) but he is one of the better ones.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 07 Aug 2006, 21:28

I managed to catch this; well most of it. Missed the first 5-10 minutes.

Not a bad programme, and Jon Snow was willing, as a journalist (hell, as a person) should, to look at both sides of the story.
Didn't think I was so far out of step with the 'average' Muslim in the UK, but whatcha gonna do?

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 07 Aug 2006, 22:07

I don't really care what Muslims want anymore than they care what I want.

They represent a tiny percentage of the British population. But do we give as much airtime to other minorities? Yeah, right.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 Aug 2006, 09:55

Surely all faiths should be represented? I see what you mean.
Not all Muslims are terrorists.
Not all terrorists are Muslims.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 08 Aug 2006, 17:46

I'm not talking about terrorism... I know the majority of Muslims aren't terrorists.

It's the over-representation of the Islamic faith in the UK media in general I'm referring to.

If you knew nothing about Britain you would think that Muslims made up a significant proportion of the populace when it's actually less than 3%.

Yet not a single day goes by 'we' aren't debating this religion or asking what 'they' want or how 'they' feel?

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 Aug 2006, 18:36

I didnt realise the proportion was as low as that.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 Aug 2006, 19:10

I'd say it's a good thing we're discussing it. What's bad is we're not equally discussing other faiths.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 08 Aug 2006, 19:43

Thats exactly Mark's point isn't it?

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 08 Aug 2006, 20:28

Markgway wrote:Yet not a single day goes by 'we' aren't debating this religion or asking what 'they' want or how 'they' feel?

That's because in the Western world Islam is currently the concept of the enemy. Maybe the British media wants to preclude another witch-hunt in Europe.

Only very late at night (sometimes even after midnight) when most people are asleep do they show impartial documentaries about Islam, Islamic history or regions where most people are Muslims. Most of the stuff you see about these topics in the afternoon is biased.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 08 Aug 2006, 20:45

grim_tales wrote:Thats exactly Mark's point isn't it?

Shit was I agreeing with Mark? I take it back

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 08 Aug 2006, 21:57

This is TV we're talking about, and TV is about ratings. Hinduisme isnt interesting to most viewers at this point in time. Neither is Buddhism or whatever.
Islam is on everyone's mind because of the current state in the world, everyone seems to have an opinion about it... so there are many programs about it.

You can say you want equal airtime for other faiths, but really, you dont cause you wouldnt watch it. Simply cause it isnt as interesting, exciting or whatever right now.

We see and hear alot about Islam and we want to learn as we dont understand them and their way of thinking. We also might not understand why chinese burn little incense stick for their dead grandparents, but we also dont CARE why chinese do that, as we feel that doesnt affect our lifes. And we feel islam and muslims DO do affect our lifes...

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 08 Aug 2006, 22:25

So, did anyone aside from myself actually watch the programme? Cos otherwise the content of this thread could be moved elsewhere, to be honest. I'm sure this is old ground being re-tread.
Yi does have a point though (dammit! I couldn't have left it alone, could I?

)

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 09 Aug 2006, 00:26

Yi-Long wrote:And we feel islam and muslims DO do affect our lifes...

Not that they should. It's only the negative aspects of Islam or it's followers that concern 'us'. Let's be honest: no one outside of that 3% gives a shit about the positives of Islam whatever they may be. All westerners really want is to know that Muslims don't equal psycho bombers. And I think we already know that. I have to say I've seen the occasional doc on the subject so I suppose I'm as guilty as anyone else in looking for comforting answers. Yi-Long does make some valid points. I did see part of a debate but I don't think it was Dispatches - it was on later.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 09 Aug 2006, 08:36

Maybe it'll be repeated on E4/More 4 or something.