Falsified Major Media Reports on Libya

by Stephen Lendman

Major media specialize in what they do best: truth inversion (aka bad fiction), not doing what journalists are supposed to do – their job, especially covering imperial wars for dominance and rich spoils.

With Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) falling apart and rebel forces in disarray, today’s headlines belie the truth, reported by independent “un-in-bed-with” journalists and other sources.

On August 16, Lizzie Phelan’s Libya diary “clear(ed) up the latest media rubbish on Libya,” saying:

Gaddafi forces liberated the “hitherto rebel-held” town of Misrata. “Last night, the Libyan army moved into the center of the city, and now the rebels are trapped between Misrata and Tawergha.”

About three-fourths of the city, including its port, is secured, “which was a lifeline” for shipping rebels arms and other supplies.

At a press conference attended by around 200 tribes (including the four largest comprising half the population), Libya’s media spokesman, Dr. Moussa Ibrahim, confirmed it.

Th major four, including Wafalla, Tarhouna, Zlitan and Washafana, all support Gaddafi.

“The tribal leaders also confirmed that Zawiya and Sorman are secure, in contrast to (falsified) claims by (in bed with) foreign reporters in Tripoli and Djerba (Tunisia) that they have been taken by the rebels.”

In addition, claims that rebels control Ghuriyan are untrue. Ongoing clashes there continue.

Major media reports lie, although pockets of rebel resistance remain. Nonetheless, they’re “isolated and surrounded by the Libyan army and tribes.”

Falsified major media reports stand in stark contrast to “Libyan tribes who, of course, know their land with great intimacy.”

It’s clear media bosses want Libyans demoralized to think all is lost so give up. In addition, NATO’s “been desperately trying to secure some victory before August 17 (Ramadan’s 17th day), a very important date in the Islamic calendar.

On Ramadan’s 17th day in 624 AD in the Islamic calendar, the Prophet Muhammad won an important Battle of Badr victory in present day Saudi Arabia. It was a key turning point against his opponents.

Fast-forwarding to today, major media sources falsify reports “to create confusion and panic on the ground.” I

n an August 15 telephone address to supporters massed in Green Square, Gaddafi “reasserted his calls for the Libyan people to remain steadfast in defeating NATO’s allies on the ground and NATO itself.”

Phelan also said unconfirmed reports say rebel commander Khalifa Hefter was captured, the former army officer turned CIA asset, having formerly lived near its Langley, VA headquarters since the early 1990s.

If true, it’ll will create more disarray among TNC leaders, perhaps better described as the gang that can’t shoot or get their stories straight.

“So the media war goes on,” said Phelan, on the ground in Tripoli, reporting important truths on her Lizzie’s Liberation site, accessed through the following link: lizziesliberation.wordpress.com

Contrasting Falsified Major Media Reports

The vulgarity of lying needs no comment. Doing it for a living is beyond reproach. It doesn’t deter takers, however, like New York Times writers David Kirkpatrick and Kareem Fahim headlining, “A Top Libyan Official Appears to Defect, as Rebels Defend Recent Gains,” saying:

Interior Minister Nassr al-Mabrouk “landed in Cairo in a private plane with nine family members who were traveling on tourist visas….The defection would signal a new crack in the Qaddafi government….”

Fact check:

Al-Mabrouk didn’t defect as widely reported. He left for an operation in Cairo, saying he stands firmly with Gaddafi. It’s unsurprising he’d want family members with him for support.

Kirkpatrick and Fahim continued saying, “(R)ebels, emboldened by their gains in recent days, are losing incentive to make concessions.”

Fact check:

Falsified rebel gains are, in fact, unreported losses and disarray. Moreover, without NATO air support, they’d have been routed months ago. Air cover also gave NATO a chance to slaughter and injure thousands of Libyan civilians, as well as cause horrific mass destruction, related to imperial, not military, aims.

Both Times writers also reported rebel claims of having Tripoli surrounded as well as key supply lines cut off. None of it is true, but fact-checking isn’t part of Times writers’ job description – just reporting accounts ordered by their bosses.

From Tripoli, independent journalist/Middle East/Central Asian analyst Mahdi Nazemroaya explained in a morning email:

“The insurgency was defeated in Misurata. NATO responded with massive bombing. One route is controlled. Zawiya and Sorman have not fallen. There have been attacks on the route. They are trying to cut the supply routes off” but haven’t succeeded.

On August 15, Washington Post writer Leila Fadel was no better than other accounts headlining, “Gaddafi isolated as rebels advance, aide flies to Cairo,” falsifying the same agitprop as their Times counterparts, claiming rebels have “a stranglehold on the Libyan capital, Tripoli.”

London Guardian writers are also complicit, headlining the following August 15 and 16 stories, better described as media lies:

• August 15: “Libya’s interior minister flies to Egypt in apparent defection”
• August 15: “Libyan rebels enter oil town where decisive battle may yet be fought”
• Fact check: Zawiya was referred to, securely controlled by Gaddafi’s forces.
• August 15: “No stalemate in Libya – the writing is on the wall for Gaddafi”
• August 16: “Libya shows signs of slipping from Muammar Gaddafi’s grasp”
• August 16: “Live Syria, Libya and Middle East unrest – live updates,” many, in fact, falsified like others.

Al Zajeera is also complicit in misreporting on Libya. On August 16, it headlined, “Libyan rebels push to isolate Tripoli,” sounding more like CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times than legitimate journalists.

The report repeated the same misinformation about isolating Tripoli, controlling most of Zawiya, and other distortions.

An earlier August 12 report claimed “Fleeing Libyans say Gaddafi regime crumbling” as rebels advance toward the capital. Again untrue.

Al Jazeera, of course, is based in, funded by, and controlled by Qatar, a coalition NATO partner against Libya, its armed forces supporting rebels on the ground.

As a result, it reports lack credibility and should be avoided. Angry Arab editor As’ad AbuKhalil says they’re “like watching MSNBC after being purchased by Murdoch.”

Of course, it’s worthless under its current owner, Comcast, and previous one, General Electric, especially on issues of war and peace, as well as lawless US imperialism.

A Final Comment

The battle for Libya continues. Overwhelming numbers support Gaddafi and want their country free from imperial control. They’re also prepared to fight for it, knowing the unacceptable alternative – colonization, pillaging, loss of freedom, and perhaps their lives.

What better reasons to resist than those!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening. He is also the author of “How Wall Street Fleeces America“

The Progressive News Hour

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Guest: James Petras

Petras is Binghamton University, New York Professor Emeritus, a noted figure on the left, a distinguished Latin American expert, and longtime chronicler of the region’s popular struggles.

He’s also a consummate scholar and prolific writer of hundreds of articles and dozens of books, including his latest titled, “The Arab Revolt and the Imperialist Counterattack.”

Major world and national issues will be discussed.

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