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Al Qaeda Videos May Be Doctored
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ShareAugust 13, 2007 10:59 AM
Media and terrorism experts alike have remarked on the increasing sophistication of al Qaeda propaganda videos that continue to be released by the group's media wing, as Sahab.
One computer expert, however, has conducted extensive image analysis on many of the videos and concluded that in many cases the tapes were likely doctored to give a false impression of the speaker's location.
Neal Krawetz, founder of Hacker Factor, a computer security and consulting firm, created a computer program which he uses to analyze screen frames from various al Qaeda videos, including those of al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al Zawahri and American al Qaeda commander Adam Gadahn. His software suggests that in many cases the sophisticated backgrounds were likely added after the video of the speaker was recorded.
Photos: See What's Behind al Qaeda's Propaganda Tapes
By looking at the error levels of the different elements in the still frames, or JPEGs, he can tell which elements are older and which are newer. In other words, he can tell which areas of the video were modified more recently.
For example, in one video of Zawahri released in July of last year, he appears to be seated in a news studio complete with a backdrop of images of the World Trade Center attacks and hijacker Mohammed Atta.
Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.
News commentators at the time remarked on how Zawahri, who many assumed to be hiding in a cave, was able to record a video message from a high-tech newsroom.
Krawetz, however, says that background was very likely added after Zawahri filmed his message.
"That's the fakest one so far," said Krawetz.
Krawetz found six different layers on one JPEG from that video, implying the various background components were very likely added after Zawahri recorded his message.
Krawetz says an even more visible clue occurs as the video itself plays, when there is a subtle shifting of the camera. The image of Zawahri appears to move side-to-side as if the camera is shaking while the background remains still.
In another video of Zawahri released in August 2005, the same summer as the bombing attacks on the London subway system, Zawahri appears outside of a tent with his trusted Kalashnikov behind him. At the time, some in the media remarked at the brazen message delivered in broad daylight just a few weeks after the London attacks.
Krawetz, however, notes that while the sunlight moves against the backdrop, the light levels on Zawahri's face never change. Once again, this implies the background could have been added after the video monologue was recorded. While it may appear he is staring into the sun because of the reflection in his eyeglasses, Krawetz speculates he was actually seated in front of a spotlight.
On the eve of the 9/11 anniversary last year, Zawahri and American al Qaeda leader Adam Gadahn released a video in which Gadahn praised the hijackers and their mission. On the tape, Gadahn is seen seated in a white room with a computer and books behind him.
After analyzing the image, Krawetz determined the books were at different error levels and a different color spectrum than the rest of the room, implying they were added when the subtitles and as Sahab logo were added to the video. Whether this was an attempt to send a message to followers, an attempt to hide something else in the background or served any purpose at all remains unclear.
Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?
August 13, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (47)
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I'm shocked by this!! What is this world coming to? Known mass murderers are trying to concel their location so they can't be found.
You'd think guys like Osama bin Laden and Ayman al Zawahri would want the world to know where they were at all times, 24/7/365.
I've utterly lost all respct for Al Qaeda. How can you respect a terrorist organization that doctors its videos?
:-)
Posted by: Lothar the Destroyer | Aug 13, 2007 4:00:05 PM
No, REALLY?!?
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 13, 2007 4:10:01 PM
Well surprise, surprise! You mean Al Qaida is trying to throw us off the scent by doctoring their video releases? How DARE they?! They should include a time/date stamp on each, as well as a GoogleEarth map of the exact filming location. It's the least they could do, right?
Posted by: Doug | Aug 13, 2007 4:31:17 PM
Yeah, it's understandable/obvious that they'd doctor their videos...but thanks to Brian et al. nonetheless for 'officially' bringing it out for the public's eye...
Posted by: Dan-O | Aug 13, 2007 8:18:47 PM
Ummm hello, of course they have a fake background! Either that or Zawahiri has some pretty amazing abilities, such as magically projecting floating pictures around him.
Posted by: Tiffany | Aug 13, 2007 10:39:36 PM
'Al Qaeda' isn't making these videos. They are the product of a western intelligence agency. The gig is up.
Posted by: Eric | Aug 13, 2007 10:47:13 PM
Absolute nonsense. As the slide show of images accompanying this article shows, the "computer expert" who analyzed these images knows NOTHING about photography, or the interaction of light within an image. I happen to have been a motion picture and television cinematographer for over 25 years, have shot many millions of feet of film and many hundreds of hours of television, and can tell you that while ONE of his examples shows obvious composite layering of images (overlays etc) the rest of the examples are clearly shot within the environment portrayed in the background. This is so obvious as to be laughable that anyone thinks otherwise. These credulity-straining "theories" presented by this "expert" remind me of the people who say the moon landings were faked, and present photographs that "prove it". Like these Al Queda examples, the so-called moon landing photo discrepancies are also merely the mistaken observations and misinterpretations of AMATEURS...easily dismissed by those who know what they're doing (knowledgeable professionals who actually work with images).
Posted by: wilder5121 | Aug 13, 2007 11:54:27 PM
Idiots... When are you muppets going to realise that Al Qaeda is government owned and organised. All to scare people into following the policy of the new world order. Shhhesssh most of the bin laden videos are fake anyway so who cares about whether the background is real or not...
Posted by: John | Aug 14, 2007 5:18:13 AM
Naw, say it isn't so. al Qaeda doctoring tapes and propaganda?
I think the monochrome backgrounds were a bit obvious in some of the tapes. You will also note most of the time, although there are bright lights visible in Zawahiris glasses, there is no shadowing behind him. These videos can be made anywhere as the backgrounds are added later.
Posted by: jihad hunter | Aug 14, 2007 6:56:57 AM
John, I appreciate that you care so much for us to try to explain that there is no such thing as a global Islamist jihad going on. Thanks also for trying to explain that there is no such thing as AQ, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Fatah al-Islam, Islamic Jihad, Lashkar-e-Toiba, or Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya. (There's a lot more, but, hey, they're just figments of our imagination, right?)
I know, I know the nasty US government has made all this up, and it's actually okay to walk alone through southern Afghanistan or western Pakistan. That's where my next vacation is...
Posted by: Jazz | Aug 14, 2007 9:57:02 AM
they can't have the true backgrounds or you would recognize the location of the shoot...the whitewash house basement...i hear the chef is having trouble creating their fav foods since bush is such a hot dog and fries goober...
Posted by: daddy | Aug 14, 2007 11:04:17 AM
Oceans no longer protect us!
Dictator Bush, SAVE US!
Irrelevent Congress, HELP US!
Fascist Press, INFORM US!
Posted by: Teddy | Aug 14, 2007 1:32:43 PM
The fact that the Al Qaeda tapes are doctored isn't news. Our government owns and controls the organization.
Maybe ABC should look at the fake "bin laden confession tape". Now that will turn some heads. I wish more sheep would finally realize that our government created this "boogeyman" after perpetrating that self inflicted wound...aka 9/11.
Posted by: chris | Aug 14, 2007 5:05:35 PM
so obvious. it was clearly doctored to scare the americans into supporting the wars in afghanistan and iraq.
Posted by: greg | Aug 14, 2007 5:45:20 PM
It's not Al Queda doctoring them, its the US. They're regurgitating the same ol crap to keep you folk all scared. The Bin Laden Confession tape isn't even Bin Laden. US Government behind 9/11. Open your eyes.
Posted by: Truth | Aug 14, 2007 6:12:17 PM
My God, Americans really are stupid. What will it take?
Posted by: Throwawayyourtelevision | Aug 14, 2007 6:34:41 PM
Yeah al Queda has a Mac Book Pro, (and a AC outlet) so that they can do the final touch up to their videos before sending them out.
Here's a though the Taliban is policing the drugs trade for the CIA, (with or without their knowledge). The videos are a scare tactic to keep the sheep in check.
And it was the US that blew up the 3 towers in NYC using a profession controlled demolition team called Controlled Demolitions Inc.
Posted by: Uncle Sam | Aug 14, 2007 7:08:15 PM
You'd think "Al-CIA-Duh" studios in Langley would furnish a better product. Maybe they should contract out to Hollywood. bin Laden dead, 9/11 an inside job, and we won't be fooled again -- despite how much the MSM promotes "Al-CIA-Duh"
Posted by: Frank | Aug 14, 2007 7:54:32 PM
Ah!Yes!The phoney videos appeal to my sense of reasoning,The Prez..will soon be down under Australia.Will Jesus be seen in the Clouds off South America at the same time!? Being a cynic about this is easy for me,I am subject to their cynicism from the U.S.A. via a technology that is remote I am sure.People my own age not batting an eyelid about all this terrorist threat condemn us to these plays.It is sad to be a poor Australian babyboomer,accept for the use of this..which isnt exactly remote.Earnt your money today...USA spies!?
Posted by: Philiptravers | Aug 14, 2007 8:35:37 PM
9/11 was an inside job. al-CIA-da is a drug cartel.
Posted by: josh | Aug 14, 2007 11:12:42 PM
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