Media Should Heed Clinton’s Caution
* The Muslim community of Conejo Valley offers its sincerest condolences to the loved ones of all those who died in the crash of TWA Flight 800. As President Clinton stated: “We do not know what caused this tragedy . . . I want to caution the American people against jumping to any conclusions.”
If the crash is ultimately determined to be an act of sabotage, the Muslim community and its leadership would unreservedly condemn any individual or group found to be responsible.
Unfortunately, the president’s principled stand is not being mirrored by some members of the media or by individual “security experts,” who are offering unsubstantiated claims of responsibility, unsourced commentary and raw speculation hinting at links to Islam and Muslims.
These individuals, who remain a minority, do disservice to the profession of journalism and to the millions of American Muslims who will feel the negative impact of such reckless reporting.
HUSSAM KAZI
Public Relations Director
Islamic Center of Conejo Valley
Newbury Park
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
