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BBC Twitter Accounts Hacked By Pro-Assad Syrian Electronic Army

Posted by timothy on from the revolutionaries-in-the-amphitheatre dept.

DavidGilbert99 writes "Following BBC Weather on Twitter seems like it wouldn't throw up too many surprises — possibly news of the odd blizzard now and again. But today, the account's 60,000 followers got a little more than 'chance of a light drizzle' when the pro-Assad Syrian Electronic Army hacked the account, along with a couple of other BBC accounts, in an apparent protest at what it sees as reports which don't show the Syrian regime in the best light." Also at the BBC itself.

5 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Assad by Citizen+of+Earth · · Score: 4, Funny

    What's not to love about a genocidal dictator? He's just misunderstood.

    1. Re:Assad by Richard_at_work · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I think one of the main issues in this media conflict is that the general overall view being put over is one of "Assad" vs "The opposition fighters", with a lot of western media glossing over the fact that most of the opposition fighters are no better than Assad. Assad is not someone I would ever wish to support, but the same goes for the vast majority of those who are fighting his regime at the moment - it really is "the lesser of two evils", and somewhat of a decision no one ever would want to make.

  2. Hacking is the great equalizer by concealment · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't know what the truth of the situation is in Syria, but I know that:

    (a) Western media seems to present a similar point of view no matter which source you're watching/reading

    (b) Western governments seem to agree with the media

    (c) There are few opposing voices in government or media

    For this reason, it means that anyone with a contrary viewpoint is facing a giant media bloc composed of the most powerful governments and media producers in history.

    Hacking is an equalizer. With relatively few people, and relatively low investment, it allows hackers to use the notoriety of the hack to present their point of view.

    1. Re:Hacking is the great equalizer by Looker_Device · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Al-Jazeera is hardly the "Western Media"

      No, but they are generally pretty pro-radical Islam, and most of the Arab Spring rebels to date (incl. those in Syria) seem to be way more interested in instituting Sharia and putting Muslim Brotherhood politicians in power than in establishing pro-Western democracies or giving people more freedom.

      --
      Your political party doesn't care about your rights and only represents corporate interests.
    2. Re:Hacking is the great equalizer by i+kan+reed · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I've tried watching RT's coverage of things, and if you thing Western media is biased, you ain't seen nothing yet. They called the uprising against (unelected) president Assad an anti-democratic rebellion payed for by the U.S. over a year ago.

      And during the presidential election(after the primaries), they treated Ron Paul as a front-running candidate. It was bizarre. Beyond bizarre.

      Watching Al Jazeera or BBC gives you a clear sense of a non-american perspective on things, some bias but on the whole attempting to report honestly, but RT is like Cold War era Pravda in video form.