Western journalists who jumped to conclusions about an alleged chemical attack in Syria formed their opinions from far away, and are ignoring a reporter who actually visited the site, former UK MP George Galloway told RT.

The media and Western politicians have been quick to point the finger at the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad for an alleged chemical attack in Douma. Galloway pointed out that the journalists who are toeing the Western line haven't even come close to traveling to Douma.

"How did they form their opinion? They formed it from afar, either in newsrooms or studios. They've never been in Syria, they don't know any Arabic, they've never heard of Douma until it became a war zone. They were told which way they should be facing a long time ago in this conflict," he told RT.

He went on to say that those journalists are conveniently ignoring insight from reporters who have actually traveled to the scene, including Robert Fisk. The journalist's account of his visit to Douma was published by The Independent.

In his materials, Fisk cast doubt that a chemical attack happened after visiting the area and speaking to residents. "When he [Fisk] went there on his own feet and walked around without a minder, without a guard, nothing, just him and his notebook and pencil, they told him there was no chemical attack in Douma," Galloway said. "Well, it's as if he never existed. As if they [journalists] had never heard of him. 'Robert who?' they might as well have been asking."

Like this story? Share it with a friend!