Sunday 26th January 1997
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The media have given a name to it "soft war" where the media is able to change a nation's view of reality.
Last year we revealed how the charges against Rupert Murdoch for alleged tax evasion in Israel were covered up in the local News Limited media. An amount of over Au$100 million is involved. The story received no exposure at all in the News Limited news papers and still has not - to the best of my knowledge. It appears that Murdoch is not just out of step with Israel either - the Indian and other governments also appear to be on the look out for this media mogul.
But let us get back to "soft war". Let us remember that these unelected representatives of the people have an enormous power to sway what the populous think about a person, a government, moral issues and have the ability to close a business down through negative publicity if they put their minds to it. A journalist in the Fairfax media has already had a go at this on-line paper.
Thus it was with interest I noted that the News Limited owned Courier Mail news paper ran a high profile story yesterday headed, "Israeli Government, Prime Minister accused of corruption". The lengthy story states that Israeli jurists and opposition politicians called for an inquiry into a media allegation of criminal corruption in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's Government.
The media source that revealed the story is given as Israeli state television and the story revolves around a "jobs for the boys" type scenario. Netanyahu has denied the claims according to the report - but the amount of coverage given to the negative perspective is quite remarkable.... a picture being painted you might say.
"We are talking about the largest corruption scandal in the history of the state if the story is correct," Yossi Sarid leader of the left wing Meretz party is quoted as saying, "routine denials and a return to business as usual will not suffice."
"If this is correct... it is an attempt by criminals or apparent criminals to control the criminal justice system," legal analyst Moshe Negbi said.
The television reporter who broke the story, Ayala Hasson, has insisted that her information was watertight but refused to reveal her sources.
"It seems to me there is a lot of speculation from crumbs of information," said Justice Minister Tsahi Hanegbi.
It seems to this reporter that this unsubstantiated report is being given a remarkable amount of coverage by the News group who have most to lose from the current investigation underway in Israel. One can only trust that the power of the media is not being used in this case to manipulate an outcome.
Australians for Constitutional Monarchy executive director Kerry Jones said, "He's insulting all Australians and insulting Australia's system of government by rejecting the highest honour that we as Australians can give someone."
Keating, currently on business in London said, "For my part, I could have had no greater honour in my life than to have been Prime Minister of Australia and that is sufficient public recognition for me".
Keating said that he had wanted the decision to remain private and was dismayed that it had become public.
"I regret that my decision not to accept an award has become public. It was not of my doing."
Don't say this often Paul, but "Good on ya", you just have to look at the list of Australia Day Citizens to see how self-seeking the past Prime Minister's and their minions have been in gaining recognition for themselves. Top of the pile has got to be Bob Hawke!
It is dinky di guys and gals like Dr Fred Hollows and Dr Victor Chang who should be there not the Malcolm Fraser's....
Have a great day. Signing off from the global office.
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