Comments on: HT Press Release/Op-Ed Controversy

By: Irfan Yusuf

Irfan Yusuf — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:11:23 +0000

Abdullah, where did I claim that HT never sent the press release to the Tele? From memory, the only claim I made was that Blair never phoned Doureihi or anyone else from HT to verify the contents of the op-ed or to confirm the authorship of the release.

It’s not always safe to presume that the person listed at the bottom of a press release is necessarily the author.

Whether HT was upset by the publication of the press release or not (and I never suggested they were) is besides the point. The point is two-fold:

1. The Tele can’t accuse Media Watch of using ‘jihadist’ sources (i.e. MV forums) when it is quite happy to use HT press releases; and

2. Even if Blair’s practice is acceptabe for a tabloid newspaper, it still represents shoddy and lazy journalism.

Beyond that, it’s good to read all the various comments Blair and his buddies have made about me. Still, they’re nothing compared to what these lowlife say about the Qur’an or the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) …

By: kk

kk — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:41:58 +0000

having written a few media releases, i would be delighted to see one run almost in full, & if they gave me a byline that would be the nahoul’s knees

By: Abdullah

Abdullah — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 05:54:11 +0000

There seems to be a sizeable hole in the narrative, as it’s being discussed here. This assumption that HT didn’t send the release to the Telegraph is based on nothing but Irfan’s claim. ‘Hamza’ on MuslimVillage says quite clearly that it was sent to “all accredited media outlets”. As trashy as the Tele is, I think we can safely assume that it is an accredited media outlet.

Also unfounded are the claims/assumptions that HT didn’t want it published or was upset at having it published. What is this based on? The only thing Hamza on MV mentioned was that the DT edited it without permission. Everything else is from the slanging match between Irfan and Tim.

By: Antish

Antish — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 02:57:46 +0000

LOL – the idea that a group sends out a press release then gets upset when it’s published is worthy of Monty Python.

However, even apart from that lunacy, I’m amazed. The only explanation for the language of the press release that I could think of was that HT wasn’t actually talking to mainstream Australia (who would inevitably read it as weird rantings) but to foreign-born Muslims who would be susceptible to that sort of language. If that’s the case (and it’s still the only reason I can see for the press release’s language), then glee would be an appropriate response to it being published (more or less) full, in the newspaper that most Sydney Muslims apparently pore over daily.

By: Ibrahim

Ibrahim — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:54:19 +0000

That’s true. Obviously there was a reason why the Terrorgraph published it and it wasn’t because they wanted to do Hizb ul Tarir any favours.

By: Irfan Yusuf

Irfan Yusuf — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:31:41 +0000

I’ve never heard of a newspaper publishing a press release as an op-ed.

For a start, on what basis did Blair presume that Doureihi in fact authored the press release?

Secondly, wouldn’t it be normal for Blair to seek permission to make even minor edits if it was intended to be an op-ed?

It is good publicity for HT. But it doesn’t detract from that fact that Blair’s conduct is grossly unprofessional.

Still, the comments on Blair’s blog are fun to read. Especially when they start talking about things related to Islam …

By: Firefly

Firefly — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:57:32 +0000

It seems that there was a massive breakdown in communication. Tim Blair misunderstood the point behind a press release, and HT mistook the point of submitting one.

By: Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:51:52 +0000

That’s outrageous. HT should put themselves on notice that they reserve the right to sue themselves under the tort of self-defamation.

By: AAA

AAA — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:38:26 +0000

Usually you send a press release to a newspaper and only dream of it being published in its entirety so I think HT should be very happy about the result. It’s a PR dream come true!