Tonight Monday 4th June, 7p.m. Channel 4 News
Let’s hope they don’t make me look like a complete idiot….though I’m perfectly capable of doing that on my own…
You might be able to catch it on the web at channel4.com and of course, it might well appear on youtube at some point.
Sorry about the short notice.
Oh, it’s about 7/7 and you can find it here!

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Stef 06.04.07 at 6:26 pm
What a nicely crafted PoS that was. Not exactly am ambush, something a little more subtle than that…
shahid 06.04.07 at 6:44 pm
I’m disappointed, I have to say. They took about 15 seconds out of one hour of interview and set me alongside a bunch of conspiratorial stuff. Not quite a hit piece, but close enough for jazz.
The Antagonist 06.04.07 at 7:15 pm
Stef, you’re such a cynic, you never fail to amaze me! How about some congratulations for getting these issues raised in the mainstream media, no matter how it was presented? The media have ignored this stuff for two years, do you really think they’re suddenly going to hold their hands up and say, “Guess what, we’ve been wrong all this time. Here’s Jon Snow with the truth.”
If that’s the sort of thing anyone expected, I suggest you consider joining the UK 9/11 Truthling Movement as they always eagerly await the media unravelling the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in between ad-breaks. And, while they’re waiting that revelatory televisual event, they all waste their time, and everyone else’s, babbling on about 9/11 like there’s a single thing people in the UK can do about it. Meanwhile, they ignore entirely the events of 7/7 which happened right on their doorstep.
Shahid, you are to be congratulated for your efforts. Well done for putting in the single most considered and eloquent line of the entire piece. The only reason they didn’t use any more of your hour long interview, if the line they put in was anything to go by, is because you were too lucid and clear about the many issues that still exist around 7/7 to this day.
binary-zero 06.04.07 at 7:23 pm
have any one got it on youtube ?
shahid 06.04.07 at 7:23 pm
It could have been a hell of a lot worse, put it that way.
What disappoints me is that they didn’t present the well argued case for just why people don’t trust the government. Still, I guess it’s a start.
Stef 06.04.07 at 7:42 pm
@ant
A fair point that the piece was actually aired and you could view it as some kind of milestone in that respect. However, I try to look at these things from the mindset of someone who believes what they are told by the mainstream media. 7/7 scepticism is being presented as a race/ religion issue (cf. David Cameron’s spout from last month) which basically puts an entire community’s neck on the line when the next thing blows up. I suspect that the intention of this piece was to drive the wedge between Muslim and non Muslim even deeper.
Bridget Dunne 06.04.07 at 7:43 pm
You can watch again via this link:
Channel 4
Well done Shahid - it’s never easy knowing whether to cooperate with the MSM and we never expect a good press.
shahid 06.04.07 at 7:51 pm
That’s the feeling I got.
“Muslims don’t trust government. They believe in conspiracy theories. What should the government do about this, because it isn’t going away?”
Stef 06.04.07 at 7:55 pm
I suggest you consider joining the UK 9/11 Truthling Movement
You don’t know how much that hurts
re. Youtubing
I have the program on VHS and could get it up on Youtube but it would be a bit of a pain. Does anyone know if anyone else is on the case?
shahid 06.04.07 at 8:31 pm
Not me, I recorded it on Sky+ and I will shortly watch it again. Since my mind was primed for “hit-piece”, and because I am so cynical, I might have missed the good bits…
The Antagonist 06.04.07 at 9:27 pm
I suggest you consider joining the UK 9/11 Truthling Movement
You don’t know how much that hurts
Stef, as ever, nothing personal, Paesan. As you well know I appreciate very much your informative writings on the wide range of subjects you cover on your blog and the 9/11 Truthling Movement comment was aimed at anyone that honestly expected C4 News to come out and say, “Guess what, we’ve been wrong all this time. Here’s Jon Snow with the truth,†as that is something the 9/11ers also seemed to expect with the Mark Honigsbaum J7 interview that was given a 6 page spread in the Guardian Media supplement last year.
The point with the Guardian article, which featured the Luton CCTV image in a full-colour two-page spread and was headed with the words, “Seeing isn’t believing”, as with the C4 News piece tonight, is that at least they are raising some of the many questions that exist about the official version of events and bringing them to a wider audience who may not have encountered any of them prior to now, or who may be sitting around thinking, “Is it just me that thinks this?”
As J7 forum member numeral wrote in an email to Darshna Soni, the producer of he piece (Darshna in italics, numeral in bold):
Darshna Soni wrote:
“A quarter of Muslims polled think the authorities [were] involved with
staging the 7/7 London bombings.
It’s a worrying picture that suggests a significant minority of British
Muslims are alienated from the government and the security services.”
On the contrary, I think it is very reassuring, whether they are right
or wrong on the precise issue. Anyone not alienated from the government
and the security services, given their inaccurate and perfunctory
accounts of the events of 7/7, is much more of a concern.
Couldn’t have put it better myself!
Kier 06.04.07 at 10:46 pm
Shahid - they may only have given you 15 seconds, but you still managed to get across an incredibly salient point, which couldn’t be described in the slightest as a ‘conspiracy theory’.
You did great. The last time I heard Dr. Naseem interviewed about 7/7, which was by John Humphrys, he tried to smear every word that came out of his mouth and paint him as a frothing nutcase - when he actually allowed him to speak, that is. I think anyone else who heard that might agree that tonight’s report was a dream in comparison.
Neil 06.07.07 at 9:08 pm
I wonder what the percentages of yes/no responses would have been had they polled British whites (for want of a better phrase), like myself. Would have been interesting to see how much they trust the govt. Or don’t.
shahid 06.07.07 at 10:00 pm
Very good point Neil, and one presented to the Channel 4 team by many people in the immediate aftermath of the piece.
It’s a shame it was presented as divisive, when so few British people, of whatever background, ethnicity, religion or whatnot trust the government at all, about anything.
After all, didn’t Gordon Brown infamously ask once of Blair “Why should I believe anything you say, ever again?”
KosmikK 06.08.07 at 8:09 pm
I believe Stef is quite right to have rubbished this report in the way he has. I’ve used his comments extensively in my own blog.
These people in the MSM are only encouraged to carry on with their lies when people, trying to be fair, congratulate them on what is twisted disinformation. The only language they understand is attack, attack and keep on attacking.
They’re part of an evil, utterly corrupt system that will continue until it is eliminated like a virus. And we’re dumb if we think that sweet-talking them will change their ways.
Shaheed, bro, congratulations on a great job on your part. It’s always the same with the media machine. They only understand how to use and abuse people.
shahid 06.08.07 at 9:13 pm
KosmikK - thanks for the support. I’m half-way between Stef and The Antagonist on this one.
I think on repeated playing, some of what Darshna said in her report was quite brave. And she is receptive.
One of her comments in the piece (paraphrasing) was “this can’t be dismissed as the view of extremists and fantasists. Ordinary Muslims of the type Blair wants to reach out to have these views”.
At first I thought she was trying to tar us all with the same brush, but if she was trying to do that, she would never have made the distinction.
Despite the poor conclusion, it bears repeated viewing.
The Antagonist 06.09.07 at 11:44 am
Neil, interesting comment.
If the J7 group of independent public researchers, which is comprised predominantly of non-Muslims and includes people of all races, colours and creeds, is anything to go by, then similar research among the non-Muslim community would be likely to show similar results.
Indeed the comments submitted by Channel 4 News viewers who saw the piece seems to support this. Darshna Soni’s follow up blog makes the point, “But dozens of you pointed out that it isn’t just British Muslims who question the official narrative.”
A few of the non-Muslim commenters who are also sceptical about the official version of events include:
“I am white and middle class, and I also think that the government has not told us the truth about 7/7.”
“Why only ask Muslims about this? It isn’t only Muslims who believe this.”
“You need to carry out a survey of non-Muslims - you might get a result that is not all that different.”
“I think you’ll find the majority of non-Muslims living in Britain would give the same answers.”
“You don’t need to look only at the Muslims community to find people (a) believing in conspiracy surrounding that particular event or (b) feeling let down, manipulated and betrayed by their own government.”
Also worth looking at is the list of over 1300 signatories of the J7 RELEASE THE EVIDENCE Petition which, once again, seems to indicate quite clearly that it isn’t just Muslims who don’t believe the government has told the whole truth about 7/7.
In another piece on the Channel 4 web site, Darshna Soni highlights a few of the more egregious errors and inconsistencies in the official Home Office report, something that hasn’t been done since the Guardian article by Mark Honigsbaum which featured J7 (the J7 response to the article is here).
It will be interesting to see if and how Channel 4 follow up the piece.
Stef 06.09.07 at 1:25 pm
Fair play to Darshna to putting something up on the C4 site but she still can’t get out of that ‘Conspiracy Theory’ mindset though. After listing issues such as the non-existent train and the missing CCTV footage, she writes…
“There are lots of other theories. For example, one company is reported to have been running a security exercise on the day. Another eye witness says no Asians got on the bus at all.”
Theories? Her list contains facts and claims of fact. They’re not theories. Maybe someone should send her a dictionary
The Antagonist 06.09.07 at 2:17 pm
Stef, you’re right that Darshna’s list contains facts and claims of facts. If we wanted to go a stage further with the line, “One company is reported to have been running a security exercise on the day,” it could be modified to say — still sticking to the facts — “as admitted by the Managing Director of that company, Visor Consultants, on BBC Radio 5 Live hours after the incidents in London.”
It’s all process and, if nothing else, at least this process is underway and eliciting responses from the non-Muslim community about how they too do not trust the government with regard to this issue of 7/7. And not a moment too soon….
shahid 06.09.07 at 2:19 pm
I might just do that. (Send her a dictionary that is)
But I think it would be counter-productive. This is the first half-decent airing the issue has got in two years on the news and even if it was through the back-door of “all those pakis are conspiraloons(TM)” it is at least a start.
We should work with that. It won’t be easy, but we have to do something.
David Lawrance 06.11.07 at 12:29 pm
you are wonderful and we loving receiving your emails.
I wonder if you would consider the following.
I went to a pro Palestinian March yesterday and found myself surrounded by Jews who claim to be against, the manner in which Israel is destroying Muslim people but what they are really doing is hijacking any movement that tries to tell the truth. I asked them why all the Jews here are. Apparently their synagogue instructed them to go to all left wing meetings. Could you raise this issue with the Muslim community so that they can encourage people to attend stop the war meetings and pro Palestinian events. Or at least have discussions on how important it is to get public awareness. As you know the Jewish community has benefited massively by pretending to be the persecuted and they even pretend that by virtue of following a middle eastern religion they have some how acquired themselves a Semitic race status despite their blue eyed blond appearance. So people like Jane Seymour and Steven Spielberg point to a few dark skin Jews and say see their dark skin means the majority of us are of Arab decent from around 5000 years ago. What I found on Saturday was 6 Jewish people try to convince me that poor poor Jews had been persecuted for 5000 years. I always ask them how the persecuted Jews get enormously high status through out Christendom. You always find Jews in the positions of power since British history started. Even when the Romans were occupying England there were men high ranking Jews. So you can be powerful and be persecuted. You can be one or the other not both. When you acquire positions of wealth and power you are the persecutor not the persecuted. The Jews would have you believe the multi billionaire Mr. Murdock is actually the oppressed or indeed Halliburton. Wow, how I aspire to be the oppressed race if it means being that rich and powerful. So my question is would it be possible to get Islamic institutions to support the Palestinians by attending these marches and taking to people just to combat the Jewish efforts to hijack the left who feel outranged by the fact that an entire nation of people is being concentrated into camps and persecuted and hated on the daily bases. You see these things spread and unless we take up the challenge now it will get worse and worse for us here and all over the world. I met 6 Jewish people starting off with I am a Jewish and I don’t like Israel but two to three minutes into the conversation they are doing a pr for Jewish people and Israel although cleverly. I also met one Moroccan woman, who continued to say “Jewish better than us†Arab are stupidâ€. Couple of Pakistani’s joined in and when a Zionist joined in criticized a Pakistani for saying “both sides to not to be blamed because Palestinians are defending their life as they are largely defenseless and weak and Israel is very strong and the Jews are going into far off lands to steal someone else property. Wrong is on Israeli sideâ€. This boy was Pakistani and amazingly enough two Pakistanis started telling the Jewish Zionist that this poor boy must be from a small village and they are illiterate. So there were 6 Jews and 2 Pakistanis and one Moroccan woman blaming taking like BNP or KKK against Muslims. The Muslims think by saying bad things about the rest of their race its promote them as people would think they are posh or something. Some imam needs to raise this issue coz Muslims criticizing Muslims just legitimizes fascists dehumanization. How does one raise these issues. Does no one operate in the wider world so that Muslims can defend themselves? As the world reads more and more demonizing propaganda against them they will hate and fear them and should this hatred and fear manifest in physical harm we will all suffer horribly. We really need to make Muslims aware how they come across and how important it is for them and their children to promote their race and culture as great and injustices done against Muslims as evil and unjustified. Our children will be hated and mistreated. The Jews attending the March was several thousand while the Muslims were only a dozen or so and those who did attend could were saying all the dehumanizing things that BNP or KKK say. I was shocked and horrified although I prayed in my mind and refused to lie so I kept asking the European Jews why they think one of their ancestors may have been wondering around in the Middle East hundred of generations ago. Can they prove it with any documentation or is it by simply converting to a Middle Eastern religion which makes you feel you can go to someone else land and take it from them.
David Lawrance 06.11.07 at 12:30 pm
you are wonderful and loving its good to read your stuff
I wonder if you would consider the following.
I went to a pro Palestinian March yesterday and found myself surrounded by Jews who claim to be against, the manner in which Israel is destroying Muslim people but what they are really doing is hijacking any movement that tries to tell the truth. I asked them why all the Jews here are. Apparently their synagogue instructed them to go to all left wing meetings. Could you raise this issue with the Muslim community so that they can encourage people to attend stop the war meetings and pro Palestinian events. Or at least have discussions on how important it is to get public awareness. As you know the Jewish community has benefited massively by pretending to be the persecuted and they even pretend that by virtue of following a middle eastern religion they have some how acquired themselves a Semitic race status despite their blue eyed blond appearance. So people like Jane Seymour and Steven Spielberg point to a few dark skin Jews and say see their dark skin means the majority of us are of Arab decent from around 5000 years ago. What I found on Saturday was 6 Jewish people try to convince me that poor poor Jews had been persecuted for 5000 years. I always ask them how the persecuted Jews get enormously high status through out Christendom. You always find Jews in the positions of power since British history started. Even when the Romans were occupying England there were men high ranking Jews. So you can be powerful and be persecuted. You can be one or the other not both. When you acquire positions of wealth and power you are the persecutor not the persecuted. The Jews would have you believe the multi billionaire Mr. Murdock is actually the oppressed or indeed Halliburton. Wow, how I aspire to be the oppressed race if it means being that rich and powerful. So my question is would it be possible to get Islamic institutions to support the Palestinians by attending these marches and taking to people just to combat the Jewish efforts to hijack the left who feel outranged by the fact that an entire nation of people is being concentrated into camps and persecuted and hated on the daily bases. You see these things spread and unless we take up the challenge now it will get worse and worse for us here and all over the world. I met 6 Jewish people starting off with I am a Jewish and I don’t like Israel but two to three minutes into the conversation they are doing a pr for Jewish people and Israel although cleverly. I also met one Moroccan woman, who continued to say “Jewish better than us†Arab are stupidâ€. Couple of Pakistani’s joined in and when a Zionist joined in criticized a Pakistani for saying “both sides to not to be blamed because Palestinians are defending their life as they are largely defenseless and weak and Israel is very strong and the Jews are going into far off lands to steal someone else property. Wrong is on Israeli sideâ€. This boy was Pakistani and amazingly enough two Pakistanis started telling the Jewish Zionist that this poor boy must be from a small village and they are illiterate. So there were 6 Jews and 2 Pakistanis and one Moroccan woman blaming taking like BNP or KKK against Muslims. The Muslims think by saying bad things about the rest of their race its promote them as people would think they are posh or something. Some imam needs to raise this issue coz Muslims criticizing Muslims just legitimizes fascists dehumanization. How does one raise these issues. Does no one operate in the wider world so that Muslims can defend themselves? As the world reads more and more demonizing propaganda against them they will hate and fear them and should this hatred and fear manifest in physical harm we will all suffer horribly. We really need to make Muslims aware how they come across and how important it is for them and their children to promote their race and culture as great and injustices done against Muslims as evil and unjustified. Our children will be hated and mistreated. The Jews attending the March was several thousand while the Muslims were only a dozen or so and those who did attend could were saying all the dehumanizing things that BNP or KKK say. I was shocked and horrified although I prayed in my mind and refused to lie so I kept asking the European Jews why they think one of their ancestors may have been wondering around in the Middle East hundred of generations ago. Can they prove it with any documentation or is it by simply converting to a Middle Eastern religion which makes you feel you can go to someone else land and take it from them.