Why our Press and Visual Media fail.

[KlatooBNikto]

Simply put, they cater to our illusions born of our vanity. This makes them report on what they want the world to be, not what it is.

Examples:

1. In Iraq, we are told that the Shias are in favor of the elections while the Sunnis are against it. How credible is that assertion? To me the likelihood is that as Iraqis, both religious denominations would feel an intense dislike for a foreign invader and would want them out at all costs.It is an insane arrogance to think that Iraqis do not feel a patriotism for their land, which, by the way is the birthplace of civilization as we know it.

2. When the Right Wingers among us claim that Saddam Hussein was a tyrant and the Iraqis are better off without him, let us remember Jeanne Kirkpatrick's defense of the military tyrants who ruled Argentina.She stated that ordinary people prefer an Authoritarian regime which meets their daily needs unlike Totalitarian regimes which do not. In her estimation,authoritarian regimes had to be accepted and totalitarian regimes have to be isolated.Taking the words of the patron saintess of the Right Wing, one would think Saddam Hussein who met all the needs of his people while wielding a club over their heads like the Argentine tyrants would surely meet the authoritarian label.

3.Our mainstream media do not state either on print or on TV they are unable to move freely in Baghdad or anywhere else in Iraq for that matter without armed escorts.This is confirmed by Robert Fisk who clearly knows Iraq and its history better than any one.

4.The Press is consumed with quoting "experts" of one sort or another
who may or may not have an axe to grind for the opinions they spout.No one seems to seek the opinions of ordinary citizens.

In the end, we are all losers for believing in the fairy tales being spun for us.When the final bell rings, as it did in Vietnam, we are taken by surprise, even though, like McNamara in that era and now Richard Armitage in our time,the people in the inner circle were fully aware of the unfolding calamity.As always, we the people are the last to know.

[bryant69]

1. In the absense of positive proof

It's a tricky one--You left out that reporters are lazy, and there is clearly a corporate bias in media (Media Corporations, being Corporations, are generally pro-corporation).

Number 1, on the other hand, I question. It's based on the common sense argument, and I don't trust common sense all the time. THe Media has people there--unless they are outright lying just for the sake of helping Bush (which I know some people on here would believe). And the question, from an Iraqi point of view, is probably more complicated than you paint it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[BlueEyedSon]

2. They cater to the illusions demanded by the powerful.

All your points are all true, but are examples of hypocrisy of the media. The REASON they lie and dissemble is to support the existing power structure and its goals.

You can download "The Myth of the Liberal Media: The Propaganda Mopdel of News" here:
http://www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2002/11/1546319_comment.php?theme=2&theme=1

[KlatooBNikto]

3. The way the U.S. soldiers treat ordinary Iraqis in their daily encounters

tells us that the fine distinctions of Shia and Sunni don't make any difference to them because they cannot tell the difference.Thay are all ragheads to them. The soldiers are put in a situation, like in Vietnam, every Iraqi is an enemy and they are trying to preserve their own lives.The Iraqis, on the other hand, see the heavy handed way their men, women and children are treated by the invaders and are clearly supporting the resistance against it.

I am completely amazed by the lack of any historical curiosity displayed by our Press or media.For example, I have not seen one reference to the resistance mounted by Iraqis against the British in the 1920's which clearly resembles this war.

May be you are right.Our Press is made up of paid shills who cater to the moneyed classes.They purposely ignore the obvious.