Selective Memri - Brian Whitaker investigates

From the Article -

"Its work is subsidised by US taxpayers because as an "independent, non-partisan, non-profit" organisation, it has tax-deductible status under American law."

"Memri's purpose, according to its website, is to bridge the language gap between the west - where few speak Arabic - and the Middle East, by "providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, and Hebrew media"

"it's a rather mysterious organisation. Its website does not give the names of any people to contact, not even an office address.

The reason for this secrecy, according to a former employee, is that "they don't want suicide bombers walking through the door on Monday morning" (Washington Times, June 20).

This strikes me as a somewhat over-the-top precaution for an institute that simply wants to break down east-west language barriers. "

@ravidor

You don't see a problem? Look closely:

FTA: The reason for this secrecy, according to a former employee, is that "they don't want suicide bombers walking through the door on Monday morning" (Washington Times, June 20).

This strikes me as a somewhat over-the-top precaution for an institute that simply wants to break down east-west language barriers.

The second thing that makes me uneasy is that the stories selected by Memri for translation follow a familiar pattern: either they reflect badly on the character of Arabs or they in some way further the political agenda of Israel. I am not alone in this unease.

Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the Washington Times: "Memri's intent is to find the worst possible quotes from the Muslim world and disseminate them as widely as possible."

Memri might, of course, argue that it is seeking to encourage moderation by highlighting the blatant examples of intolerance and extremism. But if so, one would expect it - for the sake of non-partisanship - t o publicise extremist articles in the Hebrew media too.

Although Memri claims that it does provide translations from Hebrew media, I can't recall receiving any.

Comments (17)

- jasmine
From the Article -

"Its work is subsidised by US taxpayers because as an "independent, non-partisan, non-profit" organisation, it has tax-deductible status under American law."

"Memri's purpose, according to its website, is to bridge the language gap between the west - where few speak Arabic - and the Middle East, by "providing timely translations of Arabic, Farsi, and Hebrew media"

"it's a rather mysterious organisation. Its website does not give the names of any people to contact, not even an office address.

The reason for this secrecy, according to a former employee, is that "they don't want suicide bombers walking through the door on Monday morning" (Washington Times, June 20).

This strikes me as a somewhat over-the-top precaution for an institute that simply wants to break down east-west language barriers. "
- (1 Kudos received)
- jasmine
A great Article exposing how these Zionists use negative and cheap methods to turn WEST against the MUSLIMS and use American funds and power against Muslims in the process...

Wake up Americans....
- (1 Kudos received)
- AAACopywriter
Now, I don't speak Arabic, nor Farsi, nor Hebrew. Can anyone tell me how accurate the translations are?
- (0 Kudos received)
- ravidor
The translation are good as far as I can tell, the only question is the filter used to decide what article to send.

I must admit I do not see the problem. You don't want to receive the e-mail? Delete it, block it, unsubscribe from it.
You want to show the other side? Open another independent, non-partisan, non-profit institute.

Nothing secretive here.
Here is the site URL: http://www.memri.org/
they even have a blog: http://www.thememriblog.org/
and you can find them in myspace and facebook
(took me 30 sec to find this, so give me a break).
- (0 Kudos received)
- 3 replies
1. - Zecchetti
  @ravidor
  
  You don't see a problem? Look closely:
  
  FTA: The reason for this secrecy, according to a former employee, is that "they don't want suicide bombers walking through the door on Monday morning" (Washington Times, June 20).
  
  This strikes me as a somewhat over-the-top precaution for an institute that simply wants to break down east-west language barriers.
  
  The second thing that makes me uneasy is that the stories selected by Memri for translation follow a familiar pattern: either they reflect badly on the character of Arabs or they in some way further the political agenda of Israel. I am not alone in this unease.
  
  Ibrahim Hooper of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told the Washington Times: "Memri's intent is to find the worst possible quotes from the Muslim world and disseminate them as widely as possible."
  
  Memri might, of course, argue that it is seeking to encourage moderation by highlighting the blatant examples of intolerance and extremism. But if so, one would expect it - for the sake of non-partisanship - t o publicise extremist articles in the Hebrew media too.
  
  Although Memri claims that it does provide translations from Hebrew media, I can't recall receiving any.
  - (0 Kudos received)
2. - jasmine
  @ravidor
  There's another Question.
  
  Why only Muslims? Why only Arabic? Why not Russian, Chinese or Japanese? or even Hindi (Indian)?
  
  Why'd you do such a thing when you're almost in a state of war with almost all the Arab-Muslim countries and occupying their land for last 50+ years???
  
  Israel and people like this wants U.S. to confront with Arab and Muslims states and they're successful, as we can see the current occupation of American Forces in Afghanistan & Iraq and they're in a war of words with IRAN, Iran a country which cannot even reach the North Atlantic.... So why is U.S. taking it so seriously? It's just because Israel and people like this are showing things must worst than things really on the ground...
  - (1 Kudos received)
3. - dan360man
  @ravidor How many languages do you speak?
  - (0 Kudos received)
- Zecchetti
Where's DerivateRe? We need an explanation!
- (0 Kudos received)
- 1 reply
1. - jasmine
  @Zecchetti
  Hahaha, Looks like DerivateRe's cover has been compromised.... ;) lolz
  - (0 Kudos received)
- MacBookForMe
Maybe, just another spooks satellite station :)
- (1 Kudos received)
- soniyashrma40
A great Article
- (0 Kudos received)
- 1 reply
1. - jasmine
  @soniya_shrma40
  Indeed.
  - (0 Kudos received)
- robotkidalien
Sort of like the famous translation "Israel must be wiped off the map" turned out to be a lie.

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/norouzi.php?articleid=11025
- (2 Kudos received)
- 3 replies
1. - jasmine
  @robotkidalien
  Thanks, what a great find! I've posted the article on the following URL:
  
  "Israel must be wiped off the map" - Rumor of the Century
  http://www.mixx.com/stories/2073707/_israel_must_be_wiped_off_the_map_rumor_of_the_century
  
  Please Vote and Share with your friends.
  
  Thanks again, robotkidalien, it's truly an eye opening find.
  - (0 Kudos received)
2. - Zecchetti
  @jasmine
  
  both articles favourited.
  - (0 Kudos received)
3. - jasmine
  @Zecchetti
  They definitely deserve to be the Favorites! Thanks. I'll do the same :P lolz
  - (0 Kudos received)
- overton36531
ye memry
- (0 Kudos received)