BBC Twitter Accounts Hacked By Pro-Assad Syrian Electronic Army 129
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.
Hacking is the great equalizer (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.
Re:Assad (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.
Re:Hacking is the great equalizer (Score:0, Interesting)
Well, this is exactly what happens when news organisations get most of their information from the State Department.
You can get another view from the Russian media where you can find out, for instance, that the alleged chemical weapons attack was against government soldiers. There are also a few dissenting voices in the Western media, for instance Patrick Cockburn writing in the Independent.
But yes, just like Iraq, most of the media speaks with one voice. I'd hoped that the recent appearance of our old friend Tony Blair on the news, advocating invasion (which he pronounces "intervention") would give a weird sense of deja vu, but perhaps nobody is paying attention.