PooterGeek

Bobbie

They’ve been wondering exactly the same thing over on the Guardian’s MediaMonkey (http://media.guardian.co.uk/diary) - they thought it might be a Rajar gizmo (for measuring radio listening. But I reckon it’s a voice recorder.

Apologies for the long quote below, but since MediaGuardian is registration-only, I thought I’d compile their three diary pieces here.

“What is the connection between Abu Hamza al-Masri, the radical Islamic cleric jailed yesterday for soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred, and the measurement of UK radio ratings? A close look at the front page of this morning’s Guardian sees Abu Hamza pictured sporting a state-of-the-art Sony gizmo dangling from an Arbitron-branded lanyard. Arbitron is the US manufacturer behind one of the electronic audiometers tested by radio ratings body Rajar. How did Abu Hamza come by the lanyard? Was he included in the company’s radio ratings tests? Is he a Heart FM fan or more of a Planet Rock man? We should be told.
=====
Monkey owes Chrysalis Radio boss Phil Riley a banana smoothie for coming up with a very plausible answer to the question we posed yesterday: why on earth was Abu Hamza al-Masri pictured in the Guardian wearing a state-of-the-art Sony gizmo dangling from an Arbitron-branded lanyard? Riley has reminded Monkey that the radical cleric appeared in a session at the 2002 Radio Festival in Cambridge, along with BNP leader Nick Griffin, to talk about points of view that are never heard on the UK airwaves. So maybe Arbitron, the US manufacturer of electronic audiometers, was sponsoring the Radio Festival lanyards that year, while Sony were giving away a gizmo. In which case, it’s all Rod Liddle’s fault - he chaired the session.
===
Further confirmation on the Abu Hamza story. Monkey has been pinged an email from Thom Mocarsky, vice president of communications at electronic radio audience measurement firm Arbitron. Thom tells us that all speakers invited to the 2002 Radio Festival in Cambridge got a goody bag containing an Arbitron lanyard, of the type seen round the radical cleric’s neck in a Guardian front page photo yesterday. “I have no idea where he got the Sony gizmo,” he adds. Don’t worry, Thom - you’ll be joining Phil Riley in Monkey’s banana smoothie hall of fame.

Skuds

I think you are right Damian.

Lets face it, if you have no hands you have to use your dictaphone.

(Joke lovingly resurrected in memory of the late Ronnie Barker)

roanne

I’m curious. it looks like an iPod to me… But, perhaps, it could be a cellphone??? Wow, even religious figures have their way of keeping with the trends.

emir

My lovely hero Abu Hamza for workıng for us for your struggle for the thousands of peoples lıves you saved from those kafır buthcher. May Allah bless you for steadfastness and your work.
Whıle there are some that wıll speak badly about you there are many that love you. Thank you agaın my dear brother for comıng for protectıng us and makıng sure no one wıll vanquısh ıslam from our lands.

Kiran

Well ‘emir’, I hate to be the one to break the news to you but it appears your lovely hero has quit this land of infidels for the heavenly abode of houris…

chip

yo man why are ya’ll trippin over a picture of a saudi with a device around his neck.
damn ya’ll r fucked up in the head oh and blogging is gay

Dan Jon

I hear he likes prison life specially when the lights go out