Dubai Ports World attempts to control our media

weenie · February 22, 2006, 11:19am

Taking a page from the Bush media manipulation book:

From last night’s CNN:

DOBBS:
A delegation from the United Arab Emirates today arrived in Washington. They’re here to defend the ports deal. You might think a member of the delegation would want to appear on this broadcast to give us their point of view. But instead, the company at the center of this deal, Dubai Ports World, wants to silence me and our reporting on this broadcast.

Lisa Sylvester reports from outside the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington – Lisa.
LISA SYLVESTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Lou.

Well, as we’ve heard, there clearly is a move, a major pushback by this administration. We saw it earlier with the news conference at the Treasury Department in the morning. Also, Department of Homeland Security coming out this afternoon. The president himself speaking about it, as Dana Bash mentioned.

But included in this entire strategy is a P.R. campaign by DP World. And as part of that, a high-level delegation flew into Washington from the United Arab Emirates.

A number of people, the delegates, also the commercial attache, they’re planning on doing a number of media interviews. They are also planning on talking to U.S. officials on this. But they will not talk to CNN. I spoke to somebody, Mark Dennis, a representative of the P.R. firm Bell Pottinger. He says this delegation will not talk to CNN because “CNN won’t shut up Lou Dobbs.” He went on to say that “Lou Dobbs is stoking some real anger here.”

Of course he’s referring to our early coverage on this story where we were out in front with this story last week.

It’s important to note also that they’re not denying this interview because of any false reporting or inaccuracies or anything like that. The reason why is they just simply don’t want the story out there. Of course we’re out here at United Arab Emirates, and we will continue to monitor this and continue to track down this delegation. And they know that we’re out here, and they’re welcome to come out and do an interview at any time – Lou.

DOBBS: Lisa, thank you very much. Indeed, they are welcome. As you noted, we first reported this story. We were the first television program to report this story Monday, more than a week ago now.

And Lisa, if you do happen to talk with any of the representatives of the Emirates there, or if they happen to be watching this broadcast, I would like to extend yet another invitation to both the United Arab Emirates and Dubai Ports World to join me here on this broadcast or join you there, Lisa, to discuss this deal and assess its impact on U.S. national interests and national security.

Lisa, thank you.

Welcome to the New America.

citygirlsmom · February 22, 2006, 11:48am

Even the president wasnot aware of this deal…New America Inc

bandit_TX · February 22, 2006, 1:24pm

Last time I checked, you, I, and everyone else has the right to refuse CNN an interview. Thank god it is America, where even non-citizens have some rights while they are here.

citygirlsmom · February 22, 2006, 1:59pm

Sure, it is their right, but CNN? What are they so afraid of

overseas · February 22, 2006, 2:35pm

Come on, Fair and Balanced Broadcasting!

A.S.A.P · February 22, 2006, 3:09pm

What do they have to be afraid of? The call for oversight. The demand for stricter security, as it is apparently lacking in their own country’s port.

<a href=“http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0412/086_print.html[/url]”>http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0412/086_print.html</a>

It’s over a year old, but gives another view of rosy picture some have painted of Dubai’s port operations.

Spetsnaz_Op · February 22, 2006, 3:53pm

This port deal will go through. So many negative feelings about it exist for some reason…not sure why. Sorry. As far as controlling the media…who DOESN’T try to control the media? The Bush Admin had people paid to promote no child left behind to some radio host. Past administrations have done similar things. None of this is news. UAE FTW!

A.S.A.P · February 22, 2006, 4:09pm

That’s right. Doesn’t matter. Not news.

go back to sleep, America.

citygirlsmom · February 22, 2006, 4:11pm

It may not, because the republicans are mad…finally

unless they continue to buy the news

weenie · February 22, 2006, 4:57pm

bandit:

Don’t you find the EXPECTATION that one of our major news sources would “shut up” a reporter to be just a tad disconcerting?

bandit_TX · February 23, 2006, 9:11am

What I read is the Dubai delegates declined to talk to CNN, not the administration. Do you have other info?

weenie · February 23, 2006, 2:01pm

I don’t think I said anything about the administration. (I’m sure they’ve talked PLENTY with the Bish admin.)

All I know I heard from Lou Dobbs, as quoted above.

Perhaps you didn’t understand their comment. They were evidently annoyed that CNN refused to shut up their anchorman, Lou Dobbs.

citygirlsmom · February 23, 2006, 2:12pm

Considering that we will be paying them, I think they should talk

And Bob Dole just signed on to work with this company, while his wife says she is concerned with the deal- rock and hard place for her I guess

bandit_TX · February 23, 2006, 7:14pm

Who will be paying them? As far as I know, it is a private matter between two companies. As far as being annoyed at Dobbs, I imagine an American company might take the same approach.

Dubai Ports World attempts to control our media

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