I've just seen film "Beslan: Siege of school No 1" on PBS.

This horrible story tells us about cold-blooded murder of hundreds of children, committed by Chechen terrorists. And I've said to myself if it is any use in raking over the dust and ashes of the past, reopening someone's old sores. But what's wrong with it? It is our common pain and the evil that impends all of us, isn't it? We had 9/11 tragedy. During recent terrorist attacks in London we've also lost innocent people. And in all these cases special services failed to avert calamity. And so it's depressing to think that a similar tragedy may occur again at any moment and in any town of USA, UK or any other country of the world. Where is a way out of the situation? I'm sure our professionals must grope for the answer. But it absolutely clear that our media must not turn terrorists into popular screen stars (in spite of they continue to introduce themselves as rebels or warrants of Allah). Our politicians must stop to grant them political tribune. We should understand at last that terrorists strive for power. And paralyzing fear is one of the means towards this end. I'm afraid our mass media duplicates fears among ordinary people, screening such films. When in July I saw after interactive film session it became clear to me it was often more important for terrorists to commemorate a terrorist act on film or tape than even to organize any blast or terrorist attack. We had many evidences, confirmed it (particularly in Beslan and Moscow). Thus, in reality our press plays the game of terrorists. If speaking about our politicians, they may go far if they let terrorists keep company on equality with them and even let terrorists publicly grant interview.

By the way, our ABC channel is showing the interview of the main organizer of Beslan's terrorist action, S. Basaev. It is simply blasphemy towards Beslan's victims, the same as to victims of 9/11 tragedy or sacrifices of terrorist attacks in Madrid and in London, isn't it?

 

Yes you have right... It's very sad that Shamil Basaev is "hero" of the ABC channel... I don't understand why the media encourage the public shows of the terrorists?!!! Basaev is just a beast with a human face!

 

Common ground! Our media is simply a monster. Unlike to our reporters British ones have acted very civilly during coverage of recent terrorist acts in London. We haven't seen any reports about panic among people or abnormalities in activity of town mains. Although my friend who landed up there said to me that it was absolute hell. Elbowing way out, she tried to find out something about her relatives. But suddenly it turned out that she had to pay for this information according to premium price… And there was nothing about it in the press! As for absence of discussions of bloody scenes in British media, I think it is right decision.