The media's contribution to our aviation downturn

[Pushback]

Isn't it time we aired the fact that the media are responsible for keeping terrorist activity alive? Without all the publicity and sensationalism ...would the perpetrators be able to wreak their havoc?

[The Guvnor]

Strangely enough, this is what Margaret Thatcher thought as well. She instituted a ban on the media directly reporting what IRA leaders said. What happened then was that you'd have video of one of their leaders - Gerry Adams, say - talking; and an actor would dub his words. Final score: UK Govt 0: IRA 1 (own goal by UK Govt).

The problem is that until you actually listen to someone with a grievance and deal with it you're just going to make that grievance much worse. This the British have (finally) done in Ireland - and not before time, either.

Another consequence of censorship - and that's what you're advocating, pushback - is that people on your own side start to wonder what you're trying to hide.

Far better to let them speak and let the people decide the rights and wrongs - as happened last week when Jimmy Young got a spokesman for Al-Muhajiroun, a British islamic fundamentalist group, to say that they "will continue to struggle and strive until we see the flag of Islam fly over 10 Downing Street".

[RVR800]

I agree with Guvnor,Osama has no innate PR skills and his broadcasts are self defeating,
long may they continue...

[411A]

And, you certainly cannot blame the media for the mess that many airlines find themselves in worldwide.....pi@@ poor management and other short-sighted...ah well greedy pilots come to mind...employees by their actions create enough unfavorable publicity.