FAIR: Networks Change Casualty Count in Iraq Reports

[meegbear]

A recent FAIR action alert (8/20/03) pointed out that National Public Radio and television network news broadcasts were often reporting a tally of U.S. deaths in Iraq that included only "hostile-fire" or combat deaths, which at present number roughly 64 since May 1, but account for less than half of the total fatalities. In segments that have aired since that alert, networks are reporting the higher totals for U.S. casualties in Iraq.

On ABC World News Tonight (8/24/03), reporter Geoff Morrell said that "two more American soldiers lost their lives in Iraq this weekend, 137 since May 1st." CBS Evening News anchor John Roberts began the August 25 broadcast by noting that "as many US soldiers have now died since President Bush declared major combat operations over as died during the fighting. That number, by the way, is 138."

The following night (8/26/03), all three network newscasts aired reports highlighting the fact that more soldiers have died in Iraq since Bush's May 1 speech declaring an end to "major combat operations" than had died up to that point in the course of the war. ABC's Charles Gibson announced that "138 Americans were killed as the US invaded and took over Iraq, 140 have died since." Similar reports aired on NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News.

Recent NPR reports have also used casualty figures that more accurately describe American deaths in Iraq. As NPR's Renee Montagne put it (8/26/03), "The number of US troops killed in postwar Iraq has now surpassed the number killed before President Bush declared an end to major combat. Today a soldier died when a bomb hit a support convoy outside of Baghdad. That means 139 US forces have been killed in Iraq since May 1st, one more than died in the fighting beforehand." Later that day, NPR's Alex Chadwick reported that "more US troops-- 139-- have now been killed since the end of the major hostilities than during the war itself."

To read FAIR's original alert, go to:
http://www.fair.org/activism/iraq-casualties-networks.html

[roughsatori]

1. I just received my email FAIR alert and checked to see if it was posted

Thanks! :kick:

[Raenelle]

2. "Casualties" include killed, wounded and missing

They use casualties as equal to killed. So, we're only getting part of the US killed number, no attention at all on Iraqi deaths, and wounded and missing for both sides a mere footnote.

Still, I have noticed more willingness lately on the part of cable news to air points that challenge or contradict White House propaganda.

[Zuni]

3. I think a lot of people are

realizing that they were completely duped by this administration. CNN has had a higher standard of reporting lately, for example and is much less gullible than it was a year ago when dealing with the Bush white house.
I think the total collapse in iraq as of late and the lack of all those WMDs Bush promised has really angered a lot of people, who after 9/11 were very eager to trust the President and were betrayed.

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

4. Iraq II: COALITION DEATHS totals 334 and climbing

Iraq II: COALITION DEATHS :
http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx

and

Operation Telic (Iraq): Details of British Casualties :
http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/casualties.htm


------------------

NEWS

08/29/03 The London Guardian
Huge bomb blast in Najaf reportedly kills Shia Muslim leader ... plus additional details on death of U.S. soldier near Baqubah this AM

08/29/03 CENTCOM
One 4th ID soldier was killed, three wounded, in hostile fire attack north of As Suaydat (near Baqubah) today

08/28/03 CENTCOM
A U.S. soldier died of undetermined causes at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, on Aug. 27th

08/28/03 SEATTLE POST
Six Fort Lewis soldiers serving in Iraq are being treated for injuries in a military hospital in Germany after their truck hit a mine as they traveled north of Tikrit, about 120 miles north of Baghdad.

08/28/03 Ministry of Defense
A British soldier was killed and another wounded in an incident in Ali As Sharqi in southern Iraq on 27 August 2003.

08/27/03 CENTCOM
One U.S. soldier killed in Baghdad in attack on military convoy on Aug. 27th

08/27/03 CENTCOM
One U.S. solder was killed and 3 wounded by an improvised explosive device in Al Fallujah on Aug. 27th

08/26/03 CENTCOM
CENTCOM confirms: US soldier died on Aug. 25th from a "non-hostile" gunshot wound.

08/26/03 CENTCOM
A 4th Infantry Division soldier died as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident between Tikrit and Forward Operating Base Anaconda in Balad at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 25.

08/26/03 CENTCOM
One 3rd Corps Support Command soldier was killed and two wounded in improvised explosive device attack on a military convoy near the town of Hamariyah at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 26.

[MoonAndSun]

5. I noticed last night on the Big 3 network news, they all are

reporting the actual number of troops who have died, not just in combat or hostile action. It's about time they started to report the truth. The news reports lately about Iraq are not kind to bush*