After the UK’s Daily Mirror newspaper published news about the American president’s intention to bomb Al-Jazeera’s headquarters in Doha and some of its bureaux abroad, on 24 November the satellite channel issued an appeal to the world’s media to investigate the facts behind this report. Voicing the fear that, if proven correct, this news item would confirm previous American threats against Aljazeera, and it would also confirm that the bombing of Al-Jazeera bureaux in Kabul and Baghdad and the consequent deaths of Al-Jazeera reporters were deliberate and premeditated acts against Al-Jazeera. In its statement, Al-Jazeera Channel noted that, if proven true, these acts are not only directed against against the Qatar-based channel but against the freedom of expression and democracy in general.
Al-Jazeera Head Wadah Khanfar is currently in London, calling for the facts to be made public and delivering a letter to Tony Blair. The report in the Daily Mirror alleged that Mr Blair had persuaded the US President not to bomb Al-Jazeera’s HQ in April 2004. The UK’s Attorney General has warned newspaper editors against publication under the Official Secrets Act. The controversy has grown with MPs tabling a Commons motion calling for the memo to be made public and accusing ministers of using the Official Secrets Act to save political embarrassment rather than protect national security.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, Mr Khanfar said: “This news that we have heard is very concerning. We demand a proper explanation and we would like to know the facts.” He said the matter was very important and that it concerned not only Al-Jazeera but journalists across the world.
Al-Jazeera has also asked the White House for an explanation.