Libya: Popular Democracy Or Police State?

April 1997
In March 1997 Libya celebrated the 20th anniversary of Jamahiriya, the state of the masses. The "brother leader", Muammar Al Qadhafi, is eschewing political parties and representative democracy. Our journalist is bussed in from Tunisia across flat desert, he is forbidden from filming once across the Libyan border. He arrives at a conference for the Organisation for African Unity and joins foreign ministers at a banquet. Clad in lilac robes, Qadhafi sweeps in and delivers a 2 hour harangue against America's "interference". As several ministers fall asleep, he says, "you are tired of listening". A crowd of young men dressed in shiny tracksuits runs to the entrance of the hotel as delegates emerge. All clutch printed signs in support of the OAU. Denying that they were ordered to come, they claim to be members of a "political committee". We film the General People's Conference in action: despite lively debate, a delegates admits that the conference always abides by Qadhafi's "proposals". Qadhafi throught the back, protected by his military cohorts while he glides to his podium. A sceptical report on Qadhafi's Libya and his manipulation of the foreign media.

Produced by ABC Australia
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

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• Libya
• Jamahiriya
• Qadhafi
• foreign
• media
• Journeyman
• Pictures
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[bugsz1]

@joeschmojo The USA was created to secure our rights and liberties. We owe nothing to the State. Of course Libya has horrible human rights abuses. Democracy would be better, but why not think beyond that. True freedom. This issue is spreading throughout the world and will be at our doorstep very soon. 1 in every 32 adults in the US are in the prison system. 95% of them are non violent offenders. Not a police state? If you say so. I think different. Sorry if I offended you somehow. Peace.

[LibyaAngel]

libya is a police state where the security services operate with impunity and political opposition is not allowed dictator gaddafi rules the country with iron and fire

[DarkprinX2500]

i've had enough of this sickman propaganda vids..

RIP Col. Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Al Gaddafi

Lion of the Green Revolution

We must Resurrect the Jamahiriya

[amarsta]

Why are there no translations in this video? We would like to hear what the people themselves are saying.

[ahamatmabrahman]

@davisoneill Glad you said that I suddenly realized this when the video actually played , most of the videos I want to watch are not working. I'm British Here's a video for you just to prove that some of us keep our ear to the ground - courts afraid of us now and lawful court - david noakes interview edge TV is also worthwhile Best wishes

[davisoneill]

This film is very typical British propaganda. Anything that doesnt look exactly like the way the British ruling class does things is automatically made fun of and subjected to derision. Sad that the British Working Class, the vast majority of British people, can't see through the lies that their tormenters feed them with.

[davisoneill]

Libya was a paradice - until the Nato Nazi oil pirates decided to steal Libya's oil.

[1stAma]

@LibyaAngel It's awesome to read such comments today!

It's like looking at history and yes you're right!

[EmpireoftheCitycom]

What a bunch of ignorant rednecks half-breeds. No wonder the world is so messed up with unicellular brain capacities like you folks talking about stuff you know nothing about. Get an education. The only conversations you know how to make are based on what you either read in sheeple newspapers or brainwash Television. You're a waste of space!

[anonymouseponymous]

@hart1918 really? ok card carrying "socialist." name ONE Libyan person fighting against NATO "aggression." the pro-G fighters don't count. no way you know ONE Libyan. don't speak for people, and don't speak on something you don't know crap about. your people are not dying, being raped, and fleeing for their lives. go there and fight for him and see how you feel when he orders you to rape, kidnap, and terrorize Libyans. Libya al hurra!