THE dangers of the ''something must be done'' syndrome, and the power
exercised by the media in its selective coverage of events, can impede
the diplomatic process, Mr Douglas Hurd, Foreign Secretary, warns
tonight in a speech in London.
Mr Hurd, speaking at a private meeting of the Travellers Club, will
argue the case for a better understanding by the media and the diplomats
of their respective jobs, and will make clear there are occasions when
secrecy must prevail.
Disclosure is not always in the public interest when it comes to
diplomatic negotiations. The Norway talks which led to the deal between
Israel and the PLO are a case in point, but he intends to give other
examples of where secrecy has been vital and exposure by ''the
searchlight of media coverage'' has proved damaging.
The war in the former Yugoslavia has also provided examples of media
coverage which was not always helpful. The situation in Bosnia and the
plight of Sarajevo, for instance, has been heavily covered, but a lot of
good work in ensuring relief supplies get to the people in central
Bosnia has been ignored, or given little coverage.
Then, out of the blue, attention shifted to Mostar, which was
allegedly facing starvation.
Mr Hurd accepts that the difficulties on the ground dictate what gets
reported, but intends to argue that events elsewhere in the former
Yugoslavia have been ignored.
Diplomats and journalists have to work alongside each other, but they
have to do so with a clear understanding.
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