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press coverage:
LM press releases
PRESS RELEASE
18 March 1997
LM ONLINE BEATS ITN'S GAGGING ORDER
The Guardian Online has removed a thread from its website discussing
the gagging order on LM magazine by ITN. This is the first time
that any discussion of the case on the internet has been stifled.
ITN's gagging order, in the form of a libel writ, was issued on
28 February in response to an article in the February issue of
LM magazine. The article, "The Picture That Fooled The World"
reveals the truth behind the famous ITN pictures of Bosnian Muslims
apparently imprisoned behind a barbed wire fence at Trnopolje
camp in August 1992.
The full story is still available at LM Online and has been reported
in newspapers throughout Europe. In Britain, where the story should
have the most impact, the media has been largely silent, due to
alleged 'legal reasons'. Some, however, have been immune from
these 'legal reasons'. Both the Guardian (12 March) and the Observer
(2 February) have published vituperative articles about the magazine
and those who publish it. These 'legal reasons' have again been
cited by the Guardian Online in a response to those who complained
about the removal of the thread.
Rebecca Fox, a spokeswoman for the Guardian, admitted that while
only one part of one posting was "problematic for legal reasons",
they "felt it best to take down the whole thread."
Mick Hume, LM Editor, said in response:
'The story has been discussed fully and openly on the internet.
The Guardian Online's move to have the whole thread pulled represents
another example of the influence of ITN's gagging order. LM magazine
will use the internet to the full, both through our own site and
on others, in publicising the story and the attempts to gag us.'
Note: LM magazine has also demanded that the ITN news team is
stripped of its BAFTA and Royal Television Society Award, both
awarded in 1993 for its world famous report from Bosnia, first
broadcast on 6 August 1992. The story highlights important issues
concerning journalistic standards and the responsibilities of
war reporters. In the light of Thomas Deichmann's investigation,
the bodies concerned should reconsider the awarding of their coveted
prizes to the ITN reports. LM makes the same request of Broadcast
magazine and two international award bodies. |
