WP: Why the Media Don't Call It as They See It

[onehandle]

True or false: Saddam Hussein helped plan the Sept.11 attacks.

As those who read or heard President Bush's recent statement on the issue are aware, that assertion is false. Then why have so many Americans -- 69 percent, according to a Washington Post survey last month -- been telling public opinion pollsters they believe it is likely that Saddam was involved?

The administration's critics think they know whom to blame for this: President Bush and those who work for him. I think they're right. But I would also name an accessory: The nation's media, which have yet to find a clear and effective way to report incorrect impressions and untruthful statements, particularly those that emanate from the White House.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8032-2003Sep26.html

[Another Bill C.]

1. I learned a new word

in reading this article. It's "enthymematic" and it's great because it describes the whole administration strategy in "justifying" the war in Iraq.

[freesqueeze]

4. I saw Pamela Anderson Friday and had sex all weekend

Of course Pam was in a magazine photo and I was alone for the sex. What ... did I give the wrong impression. tut tut

[DemoVet]

6. A little more information than I needed there, Freesqueeze,

but it was a great illustration of the point. ;)

[Manix]

2. I have always been dubious about the wisdom of the general public..

when a couple of years ago I saw a poll where a significant number
of Americans believe that Elvis Presley is still alive.

[The Zanti Regent]

3. The Washington Post is one of the BIGGEST Liars of all

Everyone who writes for this piece of garbage is a biased Republican.

I cannot wait for the Guardian to launch a US edition to put this miserable rag out of business!

[KoKo]

5. An excellent article....heavy on the read...and student's of linguistics..

will enjoy it much......I have bookmarked it...because it needs a read when I'm not distracted......thanks for this post....we do't often get "heavy" articles like this anymore on DU....and for that...it deserves praise! :-)'s

[JohnyCanuck]

7. Just the WP attempting to cover the media's ass

as to why they acted as such blatant whores for Shrub and his gang.

[dennis4868]

8. THE AUTHOR OF THIS ARTICLE AND....

the rest of the so called "liberal" media know damn well that if it was Clinton/Gore saying all these lies and maing all these false implications the media would be all over them. In fact, the mainstreem media would be calling for Clinton/Gore impeachment.

[priller]

9. This is not a WP staffer, but an outside editorial

So I'll give them props for running it. Despite the shenanigans from WP in the past, and there are many, this is still an excellent article that rings true on many fronts. For example:

How did so many Americans arrive at these beliefs? For some, it was no doubt just the feeling that one evil Middle Easterner is the same as the next, and since Saddam and Osama bin Laden are both bad guys, they must be in cahoots.

That's exactly what one of my right-wing friends emailed me one time. She said, "They both hate America, why shouldn't they work together?"

[jbfam4]

10. Bush and company should write this 100 times

"But that does not make the media blameless. When politicians or government officials lie, reporters have an obligation not only to include the truth somewhere in the story or let opponents make a countercharge, but to say forthrightly that the official has lied. When a politician gets away with a lie, he or she becomes more likely to lie again. If the lie is exposed by vigilant reporters, the official will think twice before repeating it."

From the above article