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Media sensation versus the truth: The case of Vladimir Kokorev
Media sensation versus the truth: The case of Vladimir Kokorev.
Malcolm X once said “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power”. Years later the institution of the media may have taken a financial battering, but in terms of its power and reach it is arguably stronger than ever, with an unprecedented ability to shape the reputations of individuals and companies with one single story.
While there are many examples of outstanding journalism throughout the world, there has also been a worrying trend in the growth of poorly researched sensational stories. Although for the neutral reader these stories may be a form of entertainment, it is easy to forget how much damage they can cause to individuals, families and businesses.
The case of Vladimir Kokorev is a good case-in-point of one such story. In 2009 the Spanish media reported that the Russian academic, PhD and respected businessman has been responsible for stealing $26 million from the government of Equatorial Guinea.
It later emerged that the story was completely inaccurate, and around 15 libel proceedings were brought against various publications. However, by then the damage had been done and the reputation of one of the world’s leading African academics – with a career spanning over 35 years: – had been tarnished by a story that was entirely untrue.
To understand why this particular story was run by the media in the first place it is worth considering the ‘Kalunga Case’.
The ‘Kalunga case’ was launched by a Spanish NGO “Pro Derechos Humanos”, an organisation linked to the Guinean opposition residing in Spain and involved in several attempts of military coup against the current government of Equatiorial Guinea – the latest, taking place in 2004 in which the mercenary Simon Mann was arrested. The case is directed against several members of the government of Ecquatorial Guinea and their families, and claims that the President of Equatorial Guinea (Teodoro Obiang) owned a company called Kalunga, which he had transferred millions of dollars into so he could buy a beach apartment in the Canary Islands of 90 square metres. When it emerged that in fact Kalunga did not belong to Obiang, but to Russian businessman Vladimir Kokorev, there was a media frenzy.
According to the reports Vladimir Kokorev had both ‘stolen £26.4 million’ from Equitorial Guinea and at the same time “was helping the President buy his luxury apartment (in reference to 90m2 property mentioned before) on the Canary Islands” where Kalunga had a current account.
What is fascinating about this case is that the media failed to do any research into the Kalunga company itself. Had have done so, not only would they have discovered that it was a highly reputable shipbuilding and repair company, but that it had several contracts with the government of Equitorial Guinea and several private companies operating in Equatorial Guinea. The company had about 250 employees and was responsible for building, repairing and administration of at least 5 mercantile vessels operating in the Gulf of Guinea till today.
Indeed it was the money from these contracts that had been paid into the Kalunga accounts – not money intended to buy lavish properties for the President.
With this in mind, the so-called “Kalunga case” has not been even admitted by the Spanish courts so far, nor was Vladimir Kokorev summoned by the judge even to testify in this case.
When these facts came to light, there was an immediate outpouring of anger and resentment towards the Spanish media in Russian press for attacking a man who has contributed both to the academic circles related to Africa – having written numerous books and articles during the Soviet times, some of which are still used as teaching material and to the establishing of businesses in Africa itself – no small feat considering all existing entry barriers.
For instance, Russian newspaper Pravda on 29 September 2009 asks the following questions in its article “Have the Russians Stolen Guinean Money?“: Why did the Spanish newspapers assume that Kalunga was “phantom” company, without offering any evidence? Why they have decided to launch news in 2009 on an investigation which has taken place in 2005? Is this related to the fact that the presidential elections were to be celebrated in Guinea in November of the same year?
Russian newspaper Rodnaya Gaeta on 16th November 2009 released an article titled ‘A Victim of Spanish-African Conflict‘. The article details the ‘respectable’ Russian businessman who deals in sea freight and how he was the victim of a vicious attack by Spanish press.
Russian broadsheet newspaper Parliamentary Gazette released an article titled ‘The Spanish people are missing their colonies and offended by the Kokorevs‘ dated 4thth December 2009. The article detailed how Kokorev recently appeared in court in a bid to ‘protect his honour and dignity’ after being accused of being a swindler by Spanish papers.
Russian newspaper Nyeeavisimaya published a story about Vladimir Kokorev titled ‘It is necessary to pay more; why a number of mass-media chase cheap sensations‘ dated 14th April 2010 – the article details the courts being filled by 499 judicial claims relating to honour and dignity protection, highlighting the need for higher journalistic standards.
Several more Russian newspapers also leapt to Kokorev’s defense. These included the Russian Daily newspaper Novye Izvyestiya (‘Businessman Vladimir Kokorev has legal proceeding with Spanish and Russian mass-media’ on 14th April 2010). Broadsheet newspaper Parliamentary Gazette also published an article on 25th December 2009- ‘The former president of the government of Spain against the businessman from Russia’.
All the above articles vigorously defend Kokorev’s position and also questioned why the story was run in the first place.
In recent months the first case of libel has been settled with the court ruling in favour of Kokorev going some way to setting the record straight. Nevertheless the case highlights the need for editors, reporters and writers to constantly engage in the highest journalistic standards and fully research stories before going to press.
It is when these principles are observed that journalism is at its best and is a major force for good in the world. However, when the ‘basics’ are overlooked it’s easy, in the words of Malcolm X, “to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent”.
About the Author
PHA Media is one of the UK’s leading public relations agencies. For more information visit http://www.pha-media.com
Do you agree with the mainstream media’s implications that any criticism of Obama is racist?
I disagree,,,,and obama is a racist.
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