The Dynamic World of Human Services



Melina ZahalkaComparative New AnalysisFox News Summary:Man arrested in Canada terror denies plot to derail train on route between New York and CanadaFox News reported on the arrests of Raed Jaser and Chiheb Esseghaier, two men living in Canada for an estimated 20 years. The report summarized the appearance of the men, including descriptions of their beards and black clothing. While the nationalities of the two men have been asked, the only confirmation of their nationalities was that the United Arab Emirates embassy in Toronto reported that they are not UAE citizens, and that Jaser spent time in Tunisia prior to pursuing his nanotechnology doctorate in Canada.The two men were arrested under suspicion of plans to derail a train near Toronto. They both deny the allegations. The article states that the charges call for a re-evaluation of the relationship between al-Qaida and Shiite-run Iran, recalling the attention paid in the past on the relationship between the two, including a depiction of the relationship as ranging from “outright hostility to alliances of convenience”. The charges also include ”conspiring to carry out an attack and murder people in association with a terrorist group.” The article continues on to state that law officials in New York reported only that the attack was planned for the Canadian side of the border, and that Jaser’s lawyer pointed to the timing of the arrest in collusion with the new laws in pending in parliament involving expanding Canadian police and intelligence agency power regarding anti-terrorism. The arrest followed coordinated efforts by the Canadian intelligence and law enforcement agencies, the USA Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. The Muslim community, the article states, has been very helpful in investigations over the last few years, by “doing what’s right” and reporting suspicious behavior. The Guardian Summary:Two arrested in Canada over alleged passenger train terrorist plotThe Guardian reported that two men were arrested in Canada in connection with a plot to derail a Via Rail passenger train in Toronto, but posed no immediate threat. The two men reportedly live in Toronto and Montreal. RCMP chief superintendent Jennifer Strachan stated that the attack was planned, but not imminent, and that the two men had begun taking steps watching trains and schedules. RCMP assistant commissioner James Malizia stated that while the men had guidance from al-Qaida elements in Iran, there was no evidence that it was state-sponsored, and that no money had been provided to the men. Via Rail commented that because of excellent cooperation between the USA and Canadian agencies, there was no threat to the public at any time since the beginning of their investigation (called Project Smooth) in August 2012.The report concluded by recalling the “fractious” relationship between Iran and al-Qaida in the past, and mentioned the September 2012 severing of Canadian diplomatic relations with Iran, in which Canada’s foreign minister John Baird called Iran "the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today."Comparing and Contrasting:While Fox News’ headline included “hot” words such as “Canada terror” and insinuates a connection to New York, the Guardian opted for softer words, such as “alleged passenger train terrorist plot”. If one were reading the Fox headline, one would immediately assume that there had been an injury, explosion, or death. When one reads The Guardian’s headline, one understands that it was a plot uncovered, not a terror being reported upon. Using descriptions of the men, such as “long beards” and “a black shirt with no tie” (Fox) are also indicators of race or ethnicity. While The Guardian used one sentence to state, that “police would not release the nationality of the men”, Fox spent four sentences, including ideas that turned out to be false, and mentioned the UAE, Tunisia, and hearsay from the Muslim community. Using words like Arab and Muslim serves to recall the conflicts in the Middle East for many Americans. Perhaps most importantly, Fox spent considerable effort in connecting the arrests to possible terrorism within the United States. The headline states “on route between New York and Canada” when in reality, the Guardian accurately reports that one of the Maple Leaf lines has a route between the two cities, but the two men had not selected any particular route, and it is unknown if it was even a cross-border route. Insinuating that the attack was focused on New York creates fear for Americans, and regenerates support for the USA’s involvement in the Middle East. While Fox focuses on potential threats and includes more “hot” words such as “Shiite-led Iran's relationship with al-Qaida, a predominantly Sunni Arab terrorist network” and “carry out an attack and murder people in association with a terrorist group”, the Guardian focuses on the collaboration between the USA and Canada, and reiterates that the men posed no imminent threat. Focusing on terrorism, Iran, secret alliances, New York, and suspicious behavior, Fox breeds an atmosphere of fear when one reads the article. Focusing on alliances, collaboration, avoidance of casualties, and accountability between allied countries, The Guardian produces feelings of justice, cohesiveness, and success. Facts Vs. Opinions:Fox: “Man arrested in Canada terror denies plot to derail train on route between New York and Canada”. This includes “Canada terror”, and yet there was no action done to be called “terror”—only plans had been developing, but there was no knowledge as to how the derailment would take place. Additionally, there is no factual base for saying the train was en-route between New York and Canada. This is both factual and opinion-based.Guardian: “Two arrested in Canada over alleged passenger train terrorist plot.” This headline states that two men were arrested, where they were arrested, and that the passenger train terrorist plot was alleged. This is factual. Fox: “Muslim community leaders who were briefed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ahead of Monday's announcement of the arrest said they were told one of the suspects is Tunisian and the other from the United Arab Emirates.” These are community leaders, or essentially local citizens of some repute, but are not officials or witnesses, with the exception of the imam who reported suspicious behavior. This is hearsay rather than opinion, and unnecessary—the article then retracts those nationalities as possibilities. Guardian: “Security sources told the Canadian broadcaster CBC that the alleged plot was potentially more dangerous than the bombings and hostage-takings planned by the so-called Toronto 18 in 2006, a home-grown plot to set off bombs outside Toronto's stock exchange, a building housing Canada's spy agency and a military base.” This is both factual and opinion-based. While the opinion of the security source may be valid, neither event has taken place, and assuming one is more disastrous than the other is still hearsay.Conclusions:While the Fox article utilized verbiage that promoted fear and focused on the United States and Canada versus “the Middle East”, The Guardian was more globally inclined, recalling historical events and focusing primarily on Iran and Canada. The global implications for these articles lie in the methods employed in the reporting. Fox tended to press the focus on mistrust and the need for security and high alert states, while The Guardian reported in a fashion that promoted collaboration and a feeling of being stronger than those engaged in suspicious or harmful behavior. When Fox reports that “Muslims do the right thing” in reporting suspicious behavior, it provides the reader with the idea that globally, we are not safe. Within the world, we (the USA) are responsible for protecting our country and our lives; The Guardian reports in a way that provides global collaboration rather than isolationism. Highlighting why there was no harm is vastly different than highlighting who could have done us harm. ReferencesDoucet, I. (2013, April 22). Two arrested in canada over alleged passenger train terrorist plot. The Guardian. Retrieved from , C., Shingler , C., Hays, T., Peltz , J., Dozier , K., & Murphy, B. (2013, April 24). Man arrested in canada terror denies plot to derail train on route between new york and canada. Associated Press. Retrieved from ................
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