9/11 Alternative Theories in the British Media - the first 5 years

Introduction

As with any major political event of recent times, 9/11 has generated a number of alternative theories which seek to apportion blame away from the widely recognised perpetrators - Al-Qaeda under the auspices of Osama bin Laden - on to a variety of other actors, typically the US government.

Belief in such alternative theories is more widespread than the casual observer might think. A 2004 Observer article, based on a poll by ICM, states that, “A majority of the British population now thinks the US government knew in advance about the 9/11 plot to attack the World Trade Centre yet did nothing to stop it, on the basis that it would give America an excuse to wage war on Afghanistan and Iraq. Some 52 per cent believed there was 'a lot' or 'some' truth in this claim, while 39 per cent said there was none at all.”

Similar levels of scepticism are to be found in New York. A Zogby International poll of August 30th 2004, commissioned by a US coalition organisation called 911truth.org, found that, “Half of New Yorkers Believe US Leaders Had Foreknowledge of Impending 9-11 Attacks and “Consciously Failed” To Act.” Nationally in the USA, the level of scepticism is lower; a 2006 Scripps Howard/Ohio University poll found that a, “Third of Americans suspect 9-11 government conspiracy.”

This study will examine the portrayal of these alternative theories in the British media during the five years following 9/11. It does not seek to be a comprehensive, quantitative survey, but rather a qualitative, introductory review of the main articles which have appeared.

2001 - The Immediate Reaction