Demand a Full Accounting on Journalists' Deaths in Iraq

[paineinthearse]

Email received from Media for Democracy. It allows further dissemination.

======================================================

Dear Media for Democracy Member

CNN chief news executive Eason Jordan quit late last week amid a furor over remarks he allegedly made about American soldiers intentionally killing journalists in Iraq. Jordan delivered the remarks while sitting on an off-the-record panel of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

While no actual tape of his comments has yet to be released, an attendee disseminated news of the event into the blogosphere and ignited a firestorm, which included charges that CNN itself -- not just Jordan in his personal capacity -- had "slimed our troops."

Leading the charge was CNN competitor Fox News Channel and its sister publication, The New York Post. Members of Congress piled on with angry demands for evidence although the tone of their remarks suggested a total denial of the possibility that Jordan may know something that they didn't. Instead, Jordan's patriotism and CNN's integrity was attacked.

This incident raises three urgent issues:

1. Do media executives have a right to express opinions that deviate from the official line? Media companies should defend the rights of their employees to take part in democratic debate without fears of recriminations. The conservative editorial page of The Wall Street Journal and the World Editors Forum have rushed in to defend Jordan's right to express controversial opinions without intimidation.

2. Do media companies have an obligation to investigate and not just denigrate? CNN, Reuters, the Associated Press, AFP and other media outlets should take a fresh look at these charges to determine their validity. At least eleven journalists have been killed by "friendly fire" since the War in Iraq began, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Thus far there has been little effort by the Pentagon to explain their deaths.

3. Are we who care about integrity in the media willing to stand up to protect free speech during a time of war? While this issue is often spun as a left-right story, it's about much more than that. We are all paying dearly for this war. Shouldn't we Americans have a right to know what's being done in our name?

Reuters, the International Federation of Journalists and other press freedom groups have pressed for independent investigations of suspicious killings in Iraq. The Pentagon has refused to cooperate or permit journalists to interview soldiers involved in these incidents.

What's the truth?

Media for Democracy members can help press for full disclosure and clear up the controversy and partisan mudslinging on this issue. Here are two things you can do:

1. Write CNN and ask them to conduct a full investigation into Eason's charge that journalists may have been intentionally targeted:

Jim Walton
President of CNN News Group
One CNN Center
PO Box 105366
Atlanta, GA 30348
E-mail: mailto:[e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

2. Write the Pentagon to demand more cooperation with independent groups seeking an inquiry into "friendly fire" deaths:

Lawrence DiRita
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
Pentagon
Washington, DC
Email form: http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html
Tel 1: [phone]
Tel 2: [phone]


Thank you for taking action,

Danny Schechter
MediaChannel.org

= = = = =
Additional information:

1. MediaChannel editor Danny Schechter's new film WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception examines the killing of journalists in Baghdad in April 2003 By US Forces. He reconstructs the incident with footage from five international broadcasters, interviewing a Reuters reporter wounded there who believes her non-embedded team was "targeted." (Copies of the soon to be released DVD of this independent feature length documentary can be reserved online by following this link. For more information about teachers' guides, house parties and community and classroom screenings of the film, write [e-mail])

2. MediaChannel Report: CNN chief executive Eason Jordan's departure makes one thing clear: Hunting down journalists -- not in Iraq, but on the net -- has become the newest bloodsport. Read more at: http://mediacitizen.blogspot.com/2005/02/bloggers-nail-another-skin-to-wall.html

[paineinthearse]

1. See original post (archived)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3077829