Peter Arnett praises Iraq Ministry of Truth

Yahoo News ^ | 3.30.2003 | Joe Flint

[RockChucker]

http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/030330/72/39kcy.html

Arnett, On Iraq TV, Praises Treatment Of Reporters By Joe Flint Of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Veteran television correspondent Peter Arnett, who has been covering the war with Iraq for NBC News through an arrangement with National Geographic Explorer, went on Iraq's state television network and praised Iraq's treatment of journalists.

In a transcript of Arnett's comments during the interview, he seemed to praise Iraq's Ministry of Information, saying it has "allowed me and many other reporters to cover 12 whole years since the Gulf War with a degree which we appreciate and that is continuing today."

(This story and related background will be available on The Journal's Web site, WSJ.com.)

Arnett's comments are sure to stir controversy since some media outlets, including CNN, Arnett's former employer, have been booted out of Baghdad. Also, two reporters from the Tribune Co.-owned (TRB) newspaper Newsday are missing after being expelled from Baghdad and the paper has said it believes its journalists are being held by the Iraqi government.

After speaking with Arnett, General Electric Co.'s (GE) NBC said in a statement that "Peter Arnett and his crew have risked their lives to bring the American people up-to-date, straight-forward information on what is happening in and around Baghdad." The network said Arnett's "impromptu interview with Iraqi TV was done as a professional courtesy and was similar to other interviews he has done with media outlets from around the world. His remarks were analytical in nature and were not intended to be anything more."

Arnett appeared on MSNBC, the cable news channel NBC owns with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT), Sunday afternoon with coverage of coalition attacks. Arnett isn't employed by NBC but the network struck a deal with National Geographic, whose program "Explorer" airs on MSNBC, for the correspondent to provide war coverage for the network. He is one of the few Western television reporters remaining in Baghdad providing coverage for a U.S. network.

[dep]

Arentt will rot in hell.

no, he'll rot in the ground. he'll roast in hell.

dep

[MEG33]

Hack is excusing Arnett on CNN.

[CatoRenasci]

I agree. Nothing overt should be said that would lead him to avoid coming home. After the war, as soon as he sets foot on a plane out of Iraq, the plane should be diverted by US military jets to Gitmo, with Arnett locked up as an enemy combatant and then charged with treason, ala Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally.

[Kaslin]

Peter Arnett...Saddam's new Propaganda machine

[VRWC_minion]

Doesn't he have to suck up in order to stay.

[bwteim]

For those interested, there are least these Arnett Threads active now from oldest to latest:

Peter Arnett, Traitor
Fox News Channel | 3/30/03 | freedom4me Posted on 03/30/2003 4:08 PM MST by freedom4me

Peter Arnett ( Takes credit for American Opposition to the War ) A MUST READ
3-30-2003 Posted on 03/30/2003 4:16 PM MST by Hillary's Lovely Legs

Former CNN reporter says U.S. war planners ignored Iraqi resistance
AP WorldStream via COMTEX ^ | 3-30-03 Posted on 03/30/2003 6:16 AM MST by Oldeconomybuyer

Peter Arnett praises Iraq Ministry of Truth
Yahoo News ^ | 3.30.2003 | Joe Flint Posted on 03/30/2003 6:58 PM MST by RockChucker

CALL TO ACTION: Traitor Peter Arnett must be fired! EMAIL NBC/MSNBC executives now!
self | March 30, 2003 | tgsltakoma Posted on 03/30/2003 6:41 PM MST by tgslTakoma

Peter Arnett: U.S war planners 'failed' (CNN)
cnn ^ | 3/31/03 Posted on 03/30/2003 7:09 PM MST by knak

[jragan2001]

Yeah, send him back to New Zealand from whence he came.

[TheDon]

It gives new meaning to presstitute...a whoring for a story!

[CyberAnt]

Some gal on FOX sent everybody into fits of laughter when she (tongue in cheek) suggested that since Peter has such an inside track with Iraq, perhaps he could find out if Saddam is dead or alive. It was so funny!!!

[lilylangtree]

Arnett's a schmuck!

[Frank_2001]

We should ban this traitorous swine from entering the United States!

[xkaydet65]

Treason is out as I beleve Arnett is still a citizen of New Zealand. However I think a Freep of all things G.E. is in order.

[squalus192]

Dear Peta never met a dictator or terrorist he didn't like.

[bart99]

3 email sent.... here's my content

---

Sir -

Unless your MSNBC network, which I find unusually good amongst the cable
news channels, can re-work the statement recently issued regarding Mr.
Arnett's interview for Iraqi TV, and cease his reporting, I will cease
watching MSNBC completely. Shame - because I do enjoy much of it's
programming.

I believe that unless Mr. Arnett was in fear of personal safety, which I
do not believe he was, his interview and comments were not only
anti-american but factually incorrect. The latter is inecuseable for a
journalist.

I know he does not work directly for you, but I encourage that you
determine it is in the best interest of your network that you no longer
be associated with him and his reporting, that you condemn his remarks,
and attempt some sort of apology to the american people.

You were brilliant in your decision for MSNBC to have Donohue removed
and to include a dynamic Kasic on a regular basis.... but, I'll forgo
the goodness of your programming if your earlier statements (yours,
MSNBC's) are not changed and you recognize the adverse impact that
Arnett's comments have had on reputable and accurate reporting. Without
such a statement and associated action, it's effect on your network
viewership will be substantial.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

[kitkat]

Ohhhhhhhhh, VERY good statement, Bart.

You put me to shame. I just told them to fire him! LOL!

But you put it in a way that will mean more to THEM.

[bart99]

Thanks..... it was a quick and dirty email to NBC and the two MSNBC folks...... but, after a while, I'll really give it some thought and really write something bit more powerful, with some of Arnetts quotes.

Appreciate your comment *s*

[bart99]

Wow - Pat Buchanan is being interviewed by Drudge, and Buchanan is blasting Arnett!!!!

[RGVTx]

John Gibson will be covering this again soon. He mentioned it as a topic at the top of his show about 5 mins ago.

[Shaka]

Strange not seeing him help hang some baby milk factory signs...we need a "stray" tomahawk..snicker..snicker.