Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Objective Criticism
Could things be going any worse over in Iraq? Insurgencies, widespread discontent, outrage over beatings of prisoners. Scan the latest coverage of the U.S.'s extravagant Pottery Barn purchase disguised as a country. Given how abhorrent--and damaging to U.S. interests in the Middle East--this prisoner abuse is, it's tough to call it over-reported. But you have to admit that that the story gives media types (who are overwhelmingly against this war) a way to express their disapproval under the cover of journalistic objectivity. As with most media bias--including media bias I happen to agree with--it comes down not to how something is covered but what gets coverage in the first place.
-- Iraqi Recounts Hours of Abuse by U.S. Troops (NY Times)
-- Full Iraq Coverage from MSNBC.com
Could things be going any worse over in Iraq? Insurgencies, widespread discontent, outrage over beatings of prisoners. Scan the latest coverage of the U.S.'s extravagant Pottery Barn purchase disguised as a country. Given how abhorrent--and damaging to U.S. interests in the Middle East--this prisoner abuse is, it's tough to call it over-reported. But you have to admit that that the story gives media types (who are overwhelmingly against this war) a way to express their disapproval under the cover of journalistic objectivity. As with most media bias--including media bias I happen to agree with--it comes down not to how something is covered but what gets coverage in the first place.
-- Iraqi Recounts Hours of Abuse by U.S. Troops (NY Times)
-- Full Iraq Coverage from MSNBC.com
