Posted on 02/01/2005 6:09:04 PM PST by Tarantulas
Do US Troops Target Journalists in Iraq?
Davos, Switzerland from the WEF 2005
This fiery topic became a real nightmare today for the Chief News Executive of CNN at what was an initially very mild discussion at the World Economic Forum titled "Will Democracy Survive the Media?".
At a discussion moderated by David R. Gergen, the Director for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, the concept of truth, fairness, and balance in the news was weighed against corporate profit interest, the need for ratings, and how the media can affect democracy. The panel included Richard Sambrook, the worldwide director of BBC radio, U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, Abdullah Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, and Eason Jordan, Chief News Executive of CNN. The audience was a mix of journalists, WEF attendees (many from Arab countries), and a US Senator from Connecticut, Chris Dodd.
During one of the discussions about the number of journalists killed in the Iraq War, Eason Jordan asserted that he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by US troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted. He repeated the assertion a few times, which seemed to win favor in parts of the audience (the anti-US crowd) and cause great strain on others.
Due to the nature of the forum, I was able to directly challenge Eason, asking if he had any objective and clear evidence to backup these claims, because if what he said was true, it would make Abu Ghraib look like a walk in the park. David Gergen was also clearly disturbed and shocked by the allegation that the U.S. would target journalists, foreign or U.S. He had always seen the U.S. military as the providers of safety and rescue for all reporters.
Eason seemed to backpedal quickly, but his initial statements were backed by other members of the audience (one in particular who represented a worldwide journalist group). The ensuing debate was (for lack of better words) a real "sh--storm". What intensified the problem was the fact that the session was a public forum being taped on camera, in front of an international crowd. The other looming shadow on what was going on was the presence of a U.S. Congressman and a U.S. Senator in the middle of some very serious accusations about the U.S. military.
To be fair (and balanced), Eason did backpedal and make a number of statements claiming that he really did not know if what he said was true, and that he did not himself believe it. But when pressed by others, he seemed to waver back and forth between what might have been his beliefs and the realization that he had created a kind of public mess. His statements, his reaction, and the reaction of all in attendance left me perplexed and confused. Many in the crowd, especially those from Arab nations, applauded what he said and called him a "very brave man" for speaking up against the U.S. in a public way amongst a crowd ready to hear anti-US sentiments. I am quite sure that somewhere in the Middle East, right now, his remarks are being printed up in Arab language newspapers as proof that the U.S. is an evil and corrupt nation. That is a real nightmare, because the Arab world is taking something said by a credible leader of the media (CNN!) as the gospel, or koranic truth. What is worse is that I am not really sure what Eason really meant to communicate to us, but I do know that he was quite passionate about it. Members of the audience took away what they wanted to hear, and now they will use it in every vile and twisted way imaginable.
To me, what was said can not be put back into the genie's bottle. So here is my request as a U.S. citizen, and really only a minor, minor player in the whole WEF scheme of things: Congressman Frank and Senator Dodd, you both seem like good and honest men, and Congressman Frank especially seems like someone with a bit of courage (I'm sure Senator Dodd is brave as well). Clear up this mess, use your power and authority as elected leaders, and make transparent what really happened. You must do this to respect the 12 journalists killed and let the world know how and why. Here is another challenge, and this one is for the CNN and the BBC: What the hell happened? Is Eason right or is he wrong? Good journalism calls for digging into and revealing all of the facts (or was everything that was said in the mild part of the discussion about fair coverage and seeking the truth just verbage?).
If what Eason originally said was true, exactly what happened and why needs to become known to the American public and world at large. If it is not, it is an example of how "news" is created by the heat of the moment, without any bearing to reality. If it is true, we need to know if it was official or if it was just some random disgruntled soldiers. The dark scenario, what the rest of the world would love to believe, is that the U.S. is sinister and evil and this is just another example of Darth Bush. Is this the same U.S. that I know and love, or was this just someone accidentally becoming swept up in the anti-U.S. feeling that is all pervasive in Davos (but they love us too, especially Clinton).
The cherry on the whipped cream of this cowpie sundae was poor Abdullah Abdullah, a shining new, fresh scrubbed member of America's grand experiment to export democracy to the Middle East. Here is someone who seemed to be idealistic, full of hope and vigor. What is he thinking about all of this? What kind of role model are we presenting to the fragile new democracies of Afghanistan and Iraq? What we can do, what we must do, is show them how democracy works, and how in an open and free country the truth will get out, and those responsible will be held accountable. The U.S. makes no claims about being perfect - we only make claims that we are open enough to correct our problems, and to admit freely to ourselves and the world if we are wrong.
As a last note, I think that this article is a good pointer to the future of the news: average people, freely saying what they want, as they saw it, for anyone to see. To me, that is freedom of the press.
-R
We can only hope! But sadly, they almost certainly do not.
Only if they don't want their pos given to the enemy.
I see there's another thread on this:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1333901/posts
I searched for the word "Eason" just now and got zero hits. Phooey.
This is an example of the real enemy.
Oops, I mean I got two hits but neither one of them were of the other thread which had "Eason" in the title.
Is Rony Abovitz a Us citizen?
Even europe is begining to realize that they have acted as petulant children.
This guy is a traitor. did gergen really say this stuff?
That tells me all I need to know about the credibility of Rony Abovitz.
Queer Bahney Fwank -- the MAFaggot -- courageous? Bull$#!+!!! That idiot, Abovitz will believe anything!!! So why should we believe anything he reports?
Eason Jordan,Chief News Executive of CNN,may have misconstrued reality.
Lately,the lefties and the old media have a problem with reality.
The DSA (democratic socialists of America) is even reigning it in, Nancy Pelosi, a member of DSA has toned her tongue.
The ones still barking truely deserve scrutiny
CNN's Eason Jordon at his worst.
To make a statement like this..a charge really..in an international meeting is despicable.
the keebler elf is rowled up and barking (dennis kucinich) on H+C tonight.
I think the dems are playing "round robin" right now to try to stop from being called out as individuals
Not possible. Too many of them survived.
The lefts loathing of freedom never ceases to amaze me.
The Left, the party that tries to convince us that some folks dont want freedom and mean old Uncle Sam is a Bastage for trying to force feed them "American Style Democracy"
Arrgh! did they not see the pictures from this weekend?
They saw.. but they will do thier best to make people believe they didnt see hope and yearning for autonomy and freedom, becuase it serves them to have masses that need them to "manage" their lives. I hate socialst commies and dictators!
If the tape exists I hope it gets out. Accusing the US military of DELIBERATELY targeting journalists? Outrageous even by CNN standards! And Doody-Dodd and Frank participating? Wonder how they responded????
If true, then he shouldn't have been at Davos!
That which doesn't comport with their agenda must be denigrated and/or destroyed.
We will never let that happen.
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