ABC News, Time cave in to Bush's demand on war coverage

[Newsjock]

Yes, I recast the headline on this one. But USA Today wasn't about to put the truth in their headline.
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20031015/5589826s.htm

ABC, 'Time' collaborate on covering big picture in Iraq
Network chief says coverage is lacking

By Peter Johnson

ABC News and Time magazine have joined forces for a series of in-depth reports in November on how the war in Iraq is affecting ordinary Iraqis.

... Last month, a media watchdog group found that ABC's World News Tonight, anchored by Peter Jennings, was by far the most anti-war of the Big Three nightly newscasts.

In his memo, ABC News president David Westin said he has been dissatisfied with media coverage of the war.

''I've been troubled for some time about the reporting of all news organizations on the situation in Iraq,'' he wrote. ''We often seem to be captive to the individual dramatic incident -- and those of us in television subject to one that comes with great video.

''ABC News is now going to address this conspicuous lacking in the reporting to date,'' Westin wrote. ''Our goal is essentially to conduct an audit across several parts of Iraq, gauging the quality of life for the average citizen.''

... Westin said Tuesday that the project has nothing to do with Bush claims about media bias or the study that found World News to be the most anti-war.

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[bif]

1. Let's put some spin on it

and make sure it looks like we've transformed Iraq into paradise.

[Maine-i-acs]

2. Where are the embedded reporters now?

They all ponied up to ride in with the conquering army...

Can some free press reporters (from other nations presumably) report honestly from Iraq and have the coverage picked up by the US networks?

It will be a sad day when al-Jazeera shows less bias in their broadcasts that the US does.

[barbaraann]

3. This will backfire.

Americans will NOT be thrilled to see Iraq's schools, medical facilities, infrastructure, etc. being rebuilt and refurbished while our country is in desperate need of this type of investment.

[Sagan]

4. ok, great...

The first people you can talk to are the folks who had their crops and businesses bulldozed by the U.S. military.

[imax2268]

5. I think Time

is going to lose some subscribers...and a ton of money...