Posted on 02/01/2005 9:51:37 PM PST by quidnunc
There has been a lot of buzz about absurd comments made by Eason Jordan, the number one guy at CNN, at the "World Economic Forum" in Davos, Switzerland. Here is how the forum's blog tells the story: 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.
I suppose a short refutation of Jordan's theory would be that if the U.S. military really set out to "target" journalists in Iraq, there wouldn't be anywhere near so many journalists swarming over that country. I don't have much to add to what has already been said by others about Jordan's wacko claim; Hugh Hewitt has a good roundup. Jordan is the same guy who admitted that CNN sucked up to Saddam Hussein and didn't report what they knew about his regime. So he's a really, really credible source.
Could someone please put CNN out of its misery?
Davos, Switzerland – 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.
-snip-
(Rony Abovitz in the World Economic Forum Weblog, January 28, 2005)
To Read This Article Click Here
Eason Jordon needs an all-expenses paid trip to Gitmo, where he can be interrogated as to his former 'contacts' in the Baathist regime that he worked hand-in-glove with to maintain CNN's illustrious presence in order to maintain their bureau in Baghdad.
Send Jordan to Zarkavi....they can make great CNN news programs together.
Sorry, that post has a bit of redundancy in it. Hey, it's late, ok?
Are are we to respond to this?
I heard that Clinton stood by and said nothing as the US was accused of crimes, but I didn't know what they meant.
To accuse the troops in an international forum is despicable..He could not back it up..one other international reporter chimed in to accuse..Jordan is beneath contempt..
Bye Bye credibility..Join the Rather, CBS hall of infamy, Eason...I will NEVER believe a CNN report on our military again.
Unless these jackanape SOB's can produce forensic or photographic evidence, they can go pound sand. In fact, I hope they continue their sniveling and left-handed accusations. The public will really love those assertions from a clutch of Leftist bootlicks that served Saddam as well as they (CNN) did. If the "journalists" that were killed were anything like this specimen, then it was a good thing that the "journalists" were the bullet sponges instead of any US service personnel.
There is a downside to this, isn't there?
But, seriously................is there?
The left wing of the Democrat Party is truly the Baathist wing. These people have gone over the edge.
I think that this should be seriously investigated. If the charges are unproven allegations, then I think that Jordan should be held accountable for them. A little time in stir will do wonders for so-called journalists with an agenda.
And I thought Heraldo was making nice just because he
joined the FOXNews team.
I wonder how many American Troops the Journalists have been responsible for killing because of irresponsible journalism?
A hell of a lot more than a dozen me bets!
12? Well, that's a start, but not a very good one.
Only twelve of those scum suckers....??????
If Jordan's charges are true, then it means that he (and CNN) have knowledge of criminal activity by the military and have covered it up. Consequently, Jordan should be fired.
But, if Jordan's charges are false, then he has made unsupported and irresponsible claims of the most inflammatory nature about our armed forces in a time of war. And he should be fired. Then, perhaps, prosecuted.
Which is it, CNN? Did the boss step in it with his left foot or his right? Or both? And what are you going to do about it? Because, irrespective of the validity of Jordan's charges, he should be dismissed forthwith. The only question is whether you want to follow him into the abyss...
Didn't Clinton bomb the TV station in Kosovo?
And now back to argument #876 about how you can be against the war and the United States military, but still support our troops.
(steely)
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