30 Media Outlets Protest Treatment in Iraq

[Gloria]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/editorandpublisher/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2027078


30 Media Outlets Protest Treatment in Iraq
Claim: Reporters Harassed, Tapes Confiscated

By E&P Staff

NEW YORK -- In two separate letters to the Pentagon, the press claims that U.S. troops are harassing journalists in Iraq and sometimes confiscating equipment, digital camera disks and videotapes.

The Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) wrote a letter of protest to Larry Di Rita, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs. Some soldiers' actions "appear intended to discourage journalists from covering the continued military action in Iraq," wrote APME President Stuart Wilk, also vice president/managing editor at The Dallas Morning News.

(SNIP)

APME asked the Pentagon to immediately take steps to end confrontations between journalists and soldiers.

Separately, 30 media organizations, lead by The Associated Press, fired off their own letter to Di Rita, saying they have "documented numerous examples of U.S. troops physically harassing journalists," according to a report in Thursday's Boston Globe. The letter was signed by representatives from CNN, ABC, The Boston Globe, Newhouse News Service, and many others.

"It's back to the bad old days where journalists are being treated as adversaries, AP Washington Bureau Chief Sandy Johnson told the Globe.

MORE

[Pasqueflower]

1. Can it be any worse than what Saddam's thugs did to CNN people?

They would take them out into the desert and beat the hell out of them if they did a story in an unflattering way. Thus, the 'serious' reports of Saddam winning 100% of the vote last fall, presented with nary a snicker.

[bloom]

2. So is THAT the standard -

As long as we aren't as bad as Saddam the US, Bush, the military, etc. can be as bad as it, he, they want?????


:wtf:

[karlschneider]

4. Saddam was an a-hole. Nobody denies it. Is that an excuse for us to be

the same?

And every 'report' I saw about their election was accompanied with -major- "snickers" as you so cutely put it. But then the Bush "victory" was reported back in 2000 with barely a snicker either.

You were saying...???

[Pasqueflower]

6. Not on CNN, it wasn't snickered at

Maybe on the other networks, but not CNN. Big story on that earlier this year.

[ShaneGR]

7. Did you agree with the invasion of Iraq?

If so, could you tell me where the WMD are?

[Pasqueflower]

10. Isn't the subject of this thread treatment of journalists by the military?

So why the hell are you baiting with a question that has nothing to do with the topic?

[Dr Fate]

15. Baiting? Did you support Bush or not?

This is a Democratic Website, and we invite only progessives here. If you logged on despite this knowledge, that makes you a lying oath-breaker...

Are you a Democrat or what? I did not support Bush's Iraq plan. I can say it- how bout you???

[Dr Fate]

11. No the Conservative News Network (CNN) did cover it (link included)...

you are flat out wrong.

What, are you Republicans too lazy to do a 2 minute google search- or do just Lie on purpose, like Bush?

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/10/14/sproject.irq.referendum/

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- With his future uncertain in the face of threatened U.S. military action, one thing seems all but guaranteed for Iraqi President Saddam Hussein: victory in Tuesday's presidential referendum.

Now, as then, Saddam is running unopposed. The choices on the ballot for 11.5 million voters are "yes" or "no." It's an easy choice in more ways than one; those who vote "no" could face execution.

[w4rma]

8. Hello. This is the AMERICAN military, not the SADDAM military.

I think it's insulting and dispicable that you'd argue that Americans lower ourselves to Saddam's standards, Pasqueflower.

[Pasqueflower]

9. Did I say we should use Saddam's standard?

No. I pointed out that American journalists are used to far worse treatment than any American soldier is giving them.

[Dr Fate]

12. You posted false info.

From CNN:
"Now, as then, Saddam is running unopposed. The choices on the ballot for 11.5 million voters are "yes" or "no." It's an easy choice in more ways than one; those who vote "no" could face execution."

Too lazy to do a 2 minute Google search. Not that I'm one to stick up for the pro-Bush CNN, but in this case they actually did cover the story.

[LittleApple81]

18. Your implication was that it is OK because of Saddam's standard. n/t

[bloom]

3. "The Pentagon...has decided to keep the Am. people informed themselves

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=11231

Pallas180 wrote:

Welcome to Nazi Germany 2003 Version: The Pentagon announced
they are starting their own tv station to broadcast news from Iraq
in the USA. The Pentagon is dissatisfied with the news being broadcast by the network and cable news in America, and has decided to keep the American people informed themselves.

Wolf Blitzer doing an interview of a reporter at the Pentagon asked "Is this expected to be propaganda or real news?" The reporter answered, "Privately it is said to be propaganda."

_____________________

Isn't that great. Those two stories together are enough to ruin anyones day.

:(

[dbt]

5. Memo To Bureau Chief Sandy Johnson:

And just what the hell is wrong with journalists (if there are still any) being treated as adversaries???

The way you fuckers have cozied up to the government over the last few years has helped us get into another Viet Nam!

Are you beginning to see the esteem in which you are held by the BFEE?

:argh:
dbt

[Dr Fate]

13. The Media wanted this war as much as Bush...

...now the snake they picked up decides to bite them.

If I actually thought the media still reported the truth, I would feel sorry for them.

They dont report anything but fucking lies anyway- I say fuck em.

[otohara]

16. Got That Right - Stop Cheerleading & Whoring

for unelected fraud. Tell the simple truth about Bush crime family and be free of having to behave like the state run media outlets.

[bloom]

17. As bad as they can be....

I think there is more of a chance of getting more of the truth from the Media than from the Pentagon.


It's bad enough having the Pentagon trying to control the Media.

It seems hopeless having the Pentagon BE the Media.

[LittleApple81]

19. Don't. If the RW manage to finally get some of mediawhores

upset, we MIGHT get a glimpse of the reality in Iraq.
And at this point, let's face it, is all we will get from them.

[Rose Siding]

14. PBS did a great historical on this last night

Press vs military. Lots of stuff I hadn't known about spells of access then censorship and the way it affected the public and the way the war went.

Keep an eye out for it.