When ABC got access to photos of unexploded bombs found in London on July seventh, the UK’s Scotland Yard asked the news agency not to publicize the photos just yet, for the sake of two of the most important parts of investigation and/or intelligence: secrecy and its cousin, the element of surprise.
ABC’s response was a hearty “whatever, dude” and now the whole world has the photos. Hey, what were the traditionally free press-loving Brits going to do? Give ABC the boot? Of course not.
It appears, however, that, in another case, ABC's arrogance has overreached its common sense.
When the Russian Foreign Ministry asked ABC not to put a microphone under a Chechen terrorist (remember those guys?), ABC shrugged its collective shoulders, did so anyway and discovered that Moscow is a long way from London, in more ways than one.
MOSCOW - Russia's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it will not renew permission for ABC-TV to operate in the country after the network broadcast an interview with a notorious Chechen warlord.Russia has no long tradition of free expression to uphold and, therefore, is not shy about hindering that expression, especially when provoked.In a statement, the ministry said ABC would be considered "undesirable" by all Russian state agencies because of an interview with Shamil Basayev, which was broadcast last week on "Nightline."
The ministry called the broadcast a "clear fact supporting the propaganda of terrorism" and said it "resounded with direct calls for violence against Russian citizens."
As a result, the ministry said it decided "not to renew the accreditations of employees of this television company after they expire." [SNIP]
On Sunday, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said he was barring military personnel from contact with ABC and said the ministry now considered the network "persona non grata."
Sheesh, didn't ABC bigwigs learn about other countries and their recent histories in Journalism School? /tongue meet cheek
(Thanks to Tonecluster)
UPDATE: Welcome Peter Daou's readers! Be advised, however, that manners go a long way with me. Please mind them.
UPDATE: Commenter chicagochamp points out that the UK has on occasion been as willing to muzzle her local terrorists as Russia is. That, however, doesn't have an effect on my Schadenfreude over ABC's predicament with the Russians.
