Why was a DVD that claimed radical Islamists were a threat to Western civilization included in last Sunday’s Journal Sentinel?
A. The DVD, titled “Obsession: Radical Islam’s War Against the West,” was paid advertising. The sleeve of the DVD claimed it gave “an insider’s view of the hatred Radicals are teaching, the incitement of global jihad, and their goal of world domination.” The DVD also drew parallels between radical Islamists and the Nazi movement of the early 20th century. The DVD carries on-screen text near the outset stating that it is not indicting most Muslims. The DVD was distributed in the Journal Sentinel the same as other advertising supplements are. It did not represent – or pretend to represent – the viewpoints of the Journal Sentinel or Journal Communications. The newsroom did not participate in or contribute to the content of the supplement, just as it does not contribute to the content of any other advertising. The reverse is also true; advertisers do not control the news or opinion pages of the Journal Sentinel. A spokesman for the company that sponsored the DVD has said 28 million copies
