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AMP Report – January 18, 2007
Muslim groups concerned about
civil liberties impact of FOX'S '24'
The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) have expressed concern that the new story line on Fox's "24" terror drama may have a negative impact on the national debate over civil liberties.
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee encouraged Muslims offended by the program to complain to Fox.
Muslim Public Affairs Council expressed concern about the image it ingrains in the minds of the American public.
The CAIR said the explosion of a nuclear device near Los Angeles at the end of the most recent episode of "24" may also serve to increase anti-Muslim prejudice in American society.
In a statement, the Washington-based group said:
"The raw emotional impact of fictional scenes that include widespread death and destruction in America may adversely affect the public's attitude toward civil liberties, religious freedom and interfaith relations. The program's repeated association of acts of terrorism with Islam will only serve to increase anti-Muslim prejudice in our society.
"We have communicated the American Muslim community's concerns about this season's story line to Fox officials and will work with the network to help viewers distinguish between televised fiction and actual world events."
In response to similar concerns about a "24" story line two years ago, Fox aired a public service announcement that featured Kiefer Sutherland urging viewers to avoid stereotyping Muslims.
The Associated Press reported on January 18, 2007:
Two years ago, Muslim groups protested when the plot of the hit Fox drama `24' cast Islamic terrorists as the villains who launched a stolen nuclear missile in an attack on America.
Now, after a one-year respite during which Russian separatists played the bad guys on the critically acclaimed series, Muslims are back in the evil spotlight. Unlike last time, when agent Jack Bauer saved the day, the terrorists this time have already succeeded in detonating a nuclear bomb in a Los Angeles suburb.
Being portrayed again as the heartless wrongdoers has drawn renewed protests from Muslim groups, including one that had a meeting with Fox executives two years ago over the issue.
The current season began with Muslim terrorists waging an 11-week campaign of suicide bombings across America, culminating in the detonation of a suitcase-sized nuclear bomb in Valencia, Calif., about 26 miles north of Los Angeles. Estimated death toll: 12,000.
Sohail Mohammed, a New Jersey immigration lawyer who represented scores of detainees caught up in the post Sept. 11, 2001 dragnet, watched the episode depicting the nuclear attack with an Associated Press reporter.
"I was shocked," he said. "Somewhere, some lunatic out there watching this will do something to an innocent American Muslim because he believes what he saw on TV."
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