Introduction
When a newspaper or a TV channel proclaims that all the news they provide is ‘unbiased’ and ‘first hand’, one cannot but help read or watch the news that is proffered without an element of doubt. All over the world, there is constant endeavor to tell a story as it is; but is it done, is a moot question. One event in history that shook the entire world, irrespective of caste, creed, or color, was the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center. Millions were directly and indirectly affected by this act of terrorism; an act that has succeeded in making most of us look behind our backs every time we come across a person who vaguely resembles the image of a terrorist that we have in our minds.
A videotape of the voice and image
The news report that is the topic of this discussion is the ‘appearance’ of a videotape purported to have the voice and image of Osama bin Laden on it. Dated on the 7th of September 2007, this tape is claimed to be the voice of the ‘original’ Laden. The tape shows a youngish-looking Laden, spewing out hate messages and warnings to the West. What is interesting to note is that the figure on this tape looks a lot younger than the one displayed four years ago. To those who are totally against President Bush and his foreign policies, this is a chance to deride and comment upon the timing of the release of this videocassette. Needless to say, that this has stirred up one more hornet’s nest in the country.
Conclusion
What merits discussion here, is the sensationalism of the whole issue. There is no doubt that Laden is and will continue to be ‘hot’ news, irrespective of the authenticity of the news given. Most of the time, the media insists on giving what they presume the public want to hear or read.