Shed Light on Darfur Genocide

David Westin President of ABC News
Andrew Heyward President of CBS News
Jonathan Klein President of CNN/U.S
Larry Jacobson President of FOX Television
Neal Shapiro President of NBC News

This petition serves as a notice on behalf of the undersigned that we are appalled by the atrocities taking place in Sudan, and want better news coverage to expose and thereby help to bring an end to the inhumanity.

Since early 2003 it is estimated that in the Darfur region of Sudan, more than 350,000 people have been brutally murdered by the "Janjaweed", a militia receiving the bulk of its support from the countryХs own government.

It has all the hallmarks of genocide: indiscriminate murder; babies being killed; countless orphaned children; women and even young girls being raped. Villages are burned and every occupant Р young and old, men, women, and children Р gruesomely killed or forcibly dispossessed of their homes and all belongings. In order to survive, people are fleeing their homes with no possessions, money, or food. Their numbers can only be estimated (about 1.2 million homeless; hundreds of thousands on the brink of death because of starvation and disease), but are essentially unknown.

Why are the numbers estimates? Why can we not be more precise? Because little is being done to monitor the situation, and even less to stop it. Several months ago the United States government -- both Congress and President Bush -- admirably took the first step to speak out against the genocide taking place, and even encouraged sanctions. But since then they have not taken action. The governments of several European countries and China have vehemently objected to sanctions, and therefore none have been imposed.

During the past year the Sudanese government has eased the attacks whenever the international spotlight has shone upon their actions, only to resume them when the attention fades. They appear, for whatever reason, to be sensitive to international opinion. Why, then, is Darfur not receiving the attention necessary to bring an end to the genocide?

Because this news of central humanitarian importance has been marginalized. Instead we have been inundated with reports on Michael JacksonХs trial and finances, the American Idol scandal, professional baseball doping concerns, Steve FossettХs non-stop flight around the world, and the like.

"Is it that we consider human life in Africa of less value than elsewhere?" asked Terry George, director, producer and co-writer of the film "Hotel Rwanda".

Were this same slaughter occurring in northern Europe rather than northern Africa, there would likely be daily reports on every major news outlet. In contrast, media coverage of Darfur is extremely lacking, apparently due moreso to the volition of the media than to Sudanese government refusal to permit reporting.

International action on human rights issues requires a groundswell from people of good conscience. Citizens of Western Nations do not know the details of what is occurring in Sudan, and are not moved to compel their representatives and leaders to do more. As a result, world leaders have faced only weak pressure to act, and therefore Sudan has not been a priority. The genocide continues unabated.

You can start the ball rolling. Under the watchful spotlight of international observation, we would begin to see a response at all levels Р the public, world leaders, and then the Sudanese government.

As News Editors for the nationХs largest news sources, you decide much about what information we hear every day. You determine what makes the news, where reports come from, and ultimately what we hear. Do you believe that we prefer stories of prurient interest, entertainment, and millionaire egomania to issues affecting human life?

Simply stated: WE DO NOT!

This is an issue that we as caring, community-minded, humanitarian Americans, religious and secular, and all of good will care about.

An estimated 500 more are killed each day. Each day that passes translates into additional lives lost.

How much will we hear about this? It is truly you who decide.