The BBC is quick to report the reactions to Geert Wilders film, Fitna. Their emphasis is upon the relief in certain communities in The Netherlands at the lack of reaction to the film. Since the film appears designed to address media omissions in the discussion of Islam: trite comments like this,
In a press statement issued, unusually in English as well as Dutch, just a few hours after the film appeared on the internet, the Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende criticised the showing of the film.
"The film equates Islam with violence, we reject this interpretation. The vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and violence and in fact the victims are often also Muslims.
"We therefore regret that Mr Wilders has released this film, we believe it serves no other purpose than to cause offence."
which are undermined by the withdrawal of Fitna due to death threats against Liveleak.
Following threats to our staff of a very serious nature, and some ill
informed reports from certain corners of the British media that could
directly lead to the harm of some of our staff, Liveleak.com has been
left with no other choice but to remove Fitna from our servers.
This is a sad day for freedom of speech on the net but we have to
place the safety and well being of our staff above all else. We would
like to thank the thousands of people, from all backgrounds and
religions, who gave us their support. They realised LiveLeak.com is a
vehicle for many opinions and not just for the support of one. Perhaps
there is still hope that this situation may produce a discussion that
could benefit and educate all of us as to how we can accept one
anothers culture. We stood for what we believe in, the ability to be
heard, but in the end the price was too high.
I am still awaiting the BBC report on this, though it does not appear on their website right now. Giving offence to Islam is wrong, but death threats from Muslims who feel that their sense of the sacred has been abrogated should not be reported. That may reinforce Wilders' arguments.
The current developments already have. The next requirement is to identify those elements of the British media that facilitated this. They should be 'named and shamed'.