As the english interpreter sighs heavily whilst listening to the press conference held by the judiciary in Iraq this morning, BBC news cover the event with ever decreasing humility. The split-screen shows the sentance being read over and over again until it is all about the man, his image and his defiance in the face of his own death. Quotes from the hearing are flashed up on the screen under the images. This is propeganda at its very worse, the expert (Hamid Alkifaey) present in the studio in White City is a commentator on this Iraqi conflict and former Iraqi politician explains his views of where we go from here. The huge amount of violence predicted is brushed off by this man explaining that the country can 'get on with re-building' their battered country.
This whistle-stop tour through the 'facts' shows scenes from Tikrit and Najaff to stir relief among the Western nations, jubilation in the streets as the verdict is read. Kirkuk is not shown, but pro-Saddam rallies are reported on all newswires. Saddam's reaction is described as defiant: hailing Allah, "long live the nation", "goto hell with your rules and clauses!", hailing the people of Iraq and declaring the judge "a mouthpiece of the occupation". Sections of this film are removed for the "protection of the identities of the court". For example, the former dictator is hauled to his feet as he remains adament that the court is illigitament. The anchors watch the verdict being delivered silently; the camera switches back on and they immediately mention Saddam's composure and mock his outward image of control over these proceedings.
What is not discussed is the fact that this (Iraq) is the issue that Americans feel is the most important in next week's mid-term elections. This verdict was rushed through and is never mentioned in BBC's coverage.
A speech is read by the Iraqi Prime Minister, the translator returns and his depressive style is again evident. He is the english source of what these men are saying, his voice is the one that Americans and Britains will hear when being shown today's proceedings.
This is Show after show, being played before us by a company of performers that all have their own agendas. The true message is lost; this is an execution bundled up into a blanket and taken far into the desert and burned. Iraq's judiciary has been responsible for the last three years for the future of this young country. It has had to balance justice with the reaction that any verdict will stir within the nation.
This is a prime example of how 24-hour news influences the presentation of hard fact, turning it into 'The Greatest Show on Earth'.
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