Media blamed 'for Iraq attacks' (UK general on Black Watch attacks)

[Barrett808]

General Walker said reports could have incited Iraqi attacks
The UK's most senior military officer has blamed media coverage on the Black Watch redeployment for attacks which claimed several soldiers' lives.

Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Michael Walker said the media's coverage may have prompted Iraqi insurgents to attack the soldiers.

He told BBC Two's Newsnight programme attack were "enhanced" by reports.

Five members of the 850-strong battlegroup died during attacks when they moved closer to Baghdad.

"The contribution towards the initial attacks against the Black Watch was certainly enhanced by, if you like, a media picture that was being laid across a number of channels in all sorts of places," he said.

(more)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4083939.stm

[bullimiami]

1. DId the media bomb and invade that country?

Did the media murder 100,000 + iraqis?

I didnt think so.

[daleo]

2. This guy is naive, if he thinks insurgents need the media

I have no doubt that the Iraqi resistance doesn't need media accounts to know the moves of the U.S./U.K. occupation forces. They have 25 million sets of eyes on the ground.

[struggle4progress]

3. It's some deep philosophical issue: "If the insurgents attack but ...

... the media doesn't cover it, do soldiers really die?"

[w4rma]

4. Hitler's media said the war was doing great right up until the Allies got

into Berlin. And also remember Baghdad Bob who said that Saddam was on the verge of beating our armed forces while they were occupying the airport on the outskirts of the city.

This BS that the media should lie for those in power because it might enable the "enemy" is nothing but an attempt at CYA and nothing else.

[LynnTheDem]

5. And it was the PHOTOS of torture at AG that did the damage, NOT the actual

TORTURE.

Jebus fucking Cripes...I know bushCartel & rightwingnuts are incredibly STUPID, but do they really have to be THIS STUPID???!!!