The media quagmire

Power Line ^ | October 19, 2006 | Scott Johnson

[yoe]

( TigerHawk) perceptively looks at President Bush's "acceptance" of the analogy between Vietnam and Iraq. TigerHawk elaborates on the Tet analogy that President Bush drew, which correctly points to the enemy's strategic use of the American media. Daniel Freedman also comments (here).

If journalism were a profession, Peter Braestrup's 1977 book Big Story would be required reading in every journalism school. Braestrup's long subtitle is a little dry: "How the American Press and Television Reported and Interpreted the Crisis of Tet 1968 in Vietnam and Washington." But his analysis was memorable. Braestrup showed that the press blew the story of the Tet offensive, portraying a major American battlefield victory as a disaster.

In the introduction to the 1994 edition of his book, Braestrup characterized the coverage as "an unusual media malfunction," one "on a scale that helped shaped Tet's repercussions in Washington and the Administration's response." Paul Weaver wrote in his Commentary review of Big Story: "A politicized press speaking the language of news is an instrument of propaganda, and such an institution does not foster democracy, but erodes it." It is an observation that bears on the media's treatment of President Bush's comment itself.

[yoe]

Tet as the MSM knew it, was and is a figment of journalistic imagination fueling the anti-war hysteria. I listened to a newspaper editor this summer, still crowing about a Tet Offensive he hardly knew, but claimed the failure of the US as his own. Sickening.

[tobyhill]

Thank God for this President that won't cave to the MSM distortions and purposeful misquotations.

[veronica]

There is an obvious full-court press underway to depress Republican voters into skipping this election, while inflaming Bush-hatred. Last night I was a captive audience as I got a mani-pedi. NBC nightly news was on the TV in the nail salon. I never watch that stuff but I had no choice. I am telling you it was 30 minutes of relentless, anti-Bush BAD NEWS. No wonder Average Joe is in a sour mood. It's was just appallingly biased.

[Edgerunner]

Keeper

[CyberAnt]

I have solved that problem where ever I go!

I refuse to be inflicted with that vile junk. I tell the owner of the shop - either you change the channel - or you can do without my business. And .. I have kept my promise.

If you're a regular at a shop - they will change the channel for you. Now, they may change it back as soon as you leave the shop - but at least a few more people can be introduced to something more than the constant media bias.

[Louis Foxwell]

Most nauseating is yellow toothed journalists proclaiming the integrity of depraved politicians.

[Thombo2]

Good article."The press blew the story of the Tet offensive,portraying victory as a disaster..."And let's not forget JKerry testifying before congress regarding "atrocities" he (says he)witnessed in VN,Jane Fonda rubbing elbows with the NVA...all part of a concerted plan to destroy the morale and will of the American people.