Posted on 11/30/2005 6:33:52 AM PST by pabianice
November 30, 2005: The prison camps at Guantanamo Bay have been the subject of controversy for over three years. The latest flap involves photos used by the media when reporting on the detainee camps. This has become the latest bone of contention between the military and the media. The images most commonly used are of Camp X-Ray, a temporary camp that was replaced by Camp Delta in April, 2002. The newer camps are going to be on the level of the latest correctional institutions anywhere in the world.
This has not been the first time this sort of media deception has been used. Earlier in 2005, there were questions raised about the treatment of the detainees. In July, Senator Richard Durbin compared the treatment of the detainees to Nazi concentration camps. This is despite the fact that out of over 24,000 interrogations, incidents of abuse were rare (32 involving interrogations - 6 of which were corrected on the spot, with the rest dealt with through normal channels). Of the 10,000 troops at Guantanamo Bay, only ten have been disciplined for not meeting standards - and in many of those cases, the disciplined soldiers had been provoked by the detainees.
One of the other bones of contention was the release of an interrogation diary involving a high-value detainee. The methods used during the detainee's interrogations were portrayed as routine. They were not - the techniques had been authorized as part of a special protocol. Naturally, human rights groups have been complaining about this, and their concerns are amplified by sympathetic news reports - which generates heat from politicians, who will rush to impose new rules.
That said, there is more than one way to distort things. Slanting facts, as has been done in the case of Mohammed al-Khatani, is one way. Another, more effective, means of distortion is to omit facts altogether. At least a dozen detainees that have been released have gone back to fighting with al-Qaeda. What also is not revealed is the intelligence gained. In many cases, this intelligence has given the United States information on how al-Qaeda is organized, where some al-Qaeda cells are, and on future operations. The media has also neglected to point out that al-Qaeda manuals instruct members to make false claims of being tortured if they are captured.
This latest incident is going to make relations between the military and media even worse than they already are. Already reporters are perceived as not telling the full story with regards to Iraq (a justified perception). Now, the use of outdated photos of Guantanamo Bay will only add to the perception that the media is undermining their efforts to defeat al-Qaeda.
I said it back then, and again now, the military should NEVER have let the media near any of this war. Look what we got for this HUGE mistake.
I wonder if there is any way to fine these news agencies for giving false information. Isn't this libel?
They should also be fined/imprisoned for publishing false- misleading stories, aiding the enemy, political interference. I have no problem with the press printing the truth, in fact American's demand it. Attempting to overthrow the government, political bias, swaying public opinion of the government there-by trampling on the American people's right the democratically and fairly elect their government should carry stiff jail terms.
The generals should understand that the goals of the liberal media are not the same as the goals of the military.
By this time it's too late to ban liberal media coverage of the war, but the Pentagon can slap restrictions on the media that will limit any damage they may do in the future.
Here's the nut: "Naturally, human rights groups have been complaining...which generates heat from politicians, who will rush to impose new rules."
It's all up to our spineless misrepresentatives in the end.
The blame for this lies at the feet of Bush and Rumsfeld. Bush Sr had it right when he muzzled and tied the hands of the press in Desert Storm, leaving them behind to get the reports the Dept of Defense wanted to give them. A huge mistake not doing that this time.
Not necessarily a mistake. They have been exposed.
And we are proud of your Marine too.
Awwwwwwww. Thanks.
Welcome to FR.
Sitting someone in a chair in an empty room alone for four hours can be termed 'torture'.
Welcome to Free Republic.
Clean up in aisle 11
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