CNN's footage at the Egypt/Gaza border. . staged?

[annabanana]

I'm thinking that the footage loop that CNN keeps running of the border with Egyptian troops in helmets crowded together and hollering while Palestinians stream past is political theater.

I think it's some face-saving footage so Egypt can tell Washington "See? We're trying". . while not doing something that would enrage their populace..

[gateley]

1. In the movie, "Live from Baghdad"

which is the story of CNN being there when the bombs started dropping in the Gulf War, it showed how when they were doing an "on the street" piece, the locals would appear and get behind the reporter (so as to be on camera), chanting, shaking their fists, holding up anti-American signs. When the piece was wrapped, they just walked away, lit a cig, and you saw it wasn't a HUGE crowd as it would look to the viewers.

I got the impression it was the locals doing it, not that CNN had staged it, but that the locals were doing what they thought Saddam would want them to do.

But CNN has changed a LOT since 1991 - so who knows?

[annabanana]

2. I don't think CNN ginned this up, I think Egypt did. . . . n/t

[gateley]

3. And I would agree with you.

By the way, highly recommend Live from Baghdad to all. It was an HBO movie, but you can get it on DVD.