Critics of Embedded Media Are In Denial

www.Chronwatch.com ^ | 4/4/03 | Cinnamon Stillwell

[SeenTheLight]

The complaints of pro-American bias against the embedded reporters in Iraq, that came not two days into the war, were stunning in their predictability. After all, these are the same people who would be complaining about a lack of access, if the reporters weren’t allowed to accompany the troops. Once again, it’s the damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t crowd up to their old tricks again.

What’s really bothering these pessimists is that the embedded reporters aren’t telling them the story they want to hear. That is, they’re not confirming all their worst prejudices and suspicions about the U.S. military. The critics want another My Lai massacre, and they want baby-killers and butchers, but instead they’re getting bravery, decency and compassion. When harsher measures do occasionally enter the picture, they’re all over it like bears to honey.

On the other hand, when faced with true brutality, in the tactics of the hardcore elements of the Iraqi fighters---using civilians as human shields, shooting down fleeing Iraqis, and executing POW’s---denial allows the critics to disregard the evidence and instead project the behavior of the enemy onto U.S. soldiers. Freud would have had a field day with these people.

In fact, the type of media coverage we’re getting in this war is both impressive and unprecedented. And while it may be true that embedded reporters look more favorably on U.S. troops than their counterparts in the press room, where’s the crime in that? The liberal media has gotten away with smearing the U.S. military for so many years, that they’ve started to believe their own propaganda. When faced with evidence to the contrary, is it so terrible that they report the truth?

[SeenTheLight]

Chronwatch ping

[DoughtyOne]

Every time I see a report from the war zone on ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and NBC, my apprehension about sending the press to war is realized. I remember Vietnam and the three prongs of the anti-Victory effort in the U.S.

Peace rioters...
The Leftist Congress...
The Leftist Press...

I thing some of the coverage from the war zone has been good. I also think the leftists use every shot of colateral damage they can get their hands on.

[Interesting Times]

Well said.

[xkaydet65]

In the last two days the work of Walter Rogers with 7th Cav and Dr, Bob Arnot with the Marines has been nothing short of inspirational.

In Desert Storm we saw a video game with no faces. In this conflict the faces, the voices, the names are becoming part of us.I understand why the Left is so critical. They have no choice. There is no place in their psyche for inspiration, only for cynicism and bitterness.

[pbear8]

Critics of Embedded Media Are In Denial

And the Tigris and the Euphrates.

[ALS]

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[lilylangtree]

Pessimists will always be the Woody Allens of journalism.

[SeenTheLight]

LOL---thanks to both of you!

[m1911]

No, the Arab networks are doing that. Bob Arnot on MSNBC is practically waving the flag and talking about mom and apple pie. I don't see how showing Marines protecting a grateful Iraqi family is bad for us, and he's talked several times about how careful they have been about their fire, even when they're being shot at.

[DoughtyOne]

I don't watch those networks, but every once in a while I drop in on them for a moment or two to see what they're up to. Since this war began I have not stoped by one network other than FoxNews to find them covering anything other than the negative aspects of the war. Some of it has made me quite angry. Peter Jennings' presentations at the beginning of the war were terrible. I can't tell you how many times I've tuned in to hear about the market bombing, colateral damage, Rumsfeld have to change his war plan on and on. Look, perhaps the coverage is excellent when I tune out, but when I've checked in it's been pathetic.

[m1911]

Fair enough. I haven't watched the broadcast networks even once, only the cable news outlets. And some of it has been pretty awful, without doubt. But the embeds I've seen have mostly been good to the troops (why piss off a bunch of armed guys you have to sleep next to?).

I did see a couple of interviews with Iraqis where they (the Iraqis) were pretty negative, and during the three day "quagmire" phase all the coverage was pretty much unwatchable.

I am amazed at MSNBC, I think they took a look at the ratings and sometimes it looks like they're trying to out-fox FOX.

[CommandoFrank]

The truth hurts and the truth is being told. The liberals are hurting...

[DoughtyOne]

This afternoon I turned to MSNBC and saw some of the best coverage I'd seen on anything but FoxNews. It was complimentary of the troops and generally a positive presentation. If they want to produce this type of coverage, I'll give them their due. All any of us wants is something resembling coverage produced by a concern that wants the US to win.