CNN Chief Orders 'Balance' in War News

Washington Post ^ | 10/31/2001 | Howard Kurtz

[Pokey78]

The chairman of CNN has ordered his staff to balance images of civilian devastation in Afghan cities with reminders that the Taliban harbors murderous terrorists, saying it "seems perverse to focus too much on the casualties or hardship in Afghanistan."

In a memo to his international correspondents, Walter Isaacson said: "As we get good reports from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, we must redouble our efforts to make sure we do not seem to be simply reporting from their vantage or perspective. We must talk about how the Taliban are using civilian shields and how the Taliban have harbored the terrorists responsible for killing close to 5,000 innocent people."

[hoot2]

"CNN Chief makes A FUNNY...""

[DeaconRed]

:::falling out of my chair:::

ME TOO!

: : : ::ME THREE! ! ! ! ! !

[Republic of Texas]

Note to Mr. Isaacson, "too late asshole".

[X-USAF]

I don't buy it people. It stinks of disinformation. I question the authenticity of this memo.

As for Amanwhore, someone better get her a nitro pill and a cool washcloth. She is about to seize up and vapor lock if it is real.

[tillacum]

She was born in Iran, wasn't she? Educated in England and America?

[pointsal]

Okay, I give'm a gut shot every time they screw-up. Now, it is time to tell CNN what they are doing right. Is anyone posting the the CNN email address?

[SuziQ]

"We're entering a period in which there's a lot more reporting and video from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan," he said. "You want to make sure people understand that when they see civilian suffering there, it's in the context of a terrorist attack that caused enormous suffering in the United States."

Not to mention the fact that the reporting is very tightly controled by the Taliban. They take the reporters to see only what The Taliban WANTS them to see.

I can't help but wonder when I see some of those bombed out buildings in Kabul, if they were destroyed by OUR bombs or by the shelling that was done in Kabul just after 9/11. I remember hearing of the shelling because folks were wondering if the US was retaliating already, but it turned out to be opponents of the Taliban. I wouldn't put it past the Taliban to blame it on us when we didn't do it. They are trying mightily to sway public opinion to their side. That dog might hunt among radical Muslims, but it won't here among the vast majority of Americans!

[RemainCALM]

Try: CNN@AlJazeera.org

[MoJo2001]

It is sad that a memo like this has to be put out. I suppose those Liberals at CNN are really more brain dead than I thought.

[WalterSkinner]

Nothing like the Fox News Channel beating ones brains out in the ratings to sober one up.

[hoot2]

"I only watch Fox, "

whats the difference?
they're using so many "klinton retreads" lately; its difficult to tell the difference....

hey richardson, "where are our harddrives?"

[gcraig]

That's cool. What's the stock symbol for Fox News? I'd like to buy some shares myself.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

Show our civilans that were killed.......

[calypgin]

Okay, I give'm a gut shot every time they screw-up. Now, it is time to tell CNN what they are doing right. Is anyone posting the the CNN email address?

Good point. CNN Feedback.

[Lazamataz]

The chairman of CNN has ordered his staff to balance images of civilian devastation in Afghan cities with reminders that the Taliban harbors murderous terrorists, saying it "seems perverse to focus too much on the casualties or hardship in Afghanistan."

CNN: Speaking to reporters in Islamabad Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef said about 20 Afghan civilians were killed in Sunday's air strikes, despite U.S. and British claims that the targets were strictly military.

He said rockets in Kabul struck homes and killed women, children, elderly people, kittens, destroyed teddy bears, and put the infants eyes out. He called the overnight attacks "a direct evil homicidal violation and insane terrorist Satanic killing action done by the bad tyrant Satan United States of Horrible America".

(editors note: Here's where they balance...)Freedom Fighters struck a just and rightous blow against the American Infidels on September 11, when the ogres of western capitalism were struck a crippling blow by forces of Allah. In a stunning and brave attack, Osama bin Ladins honorable men drove blessed planes deep into the heart of the world's scourge -- America.

This will be the balance they inject.

[arete]

I rarely watch CNN. Fox is a much better choice. When I do watch it, I am skeptical of all their stories since it goes without saying that they are biased toward the liberal, hug a tree and kiss a terrorist side. I doubt that any effort to be balanced will work. The news readers and reporters are there cause they are slanted and that will always come through.

Richard W.

[Ole Okie]

Nah, this can't be true. A CNN exec trying to make any effort at all toward "balanced" coverage? Staggering.

This means that instead of the usual 99.5% pro-Taliban propaganda from CNN, coverage will be modified to only 99.1% pro-Taliban propaganda.

Nothing to see here, folks. I'll stay with Fox News.

[AmishDude]

Exactly. The problem with CNN is that they are suspicious of the Pentagon's story (rightly so) but take any Taliban claims at face value.

Clues to CNN:

• The Taliban lie. That's why they expelled Western journalists.
• When the Taliban show you a picture, don't believe the story they tell you that goes with it.