AP internal memo: 'Combat in Iraq is not over'

[Newsjock]

Source: Poynter Online

Memo from the AP's standards editor
From: Kent, Tom
Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2010 5:30 PM
Subject: Standards Center guidance: The situation in Iraq

Colleagues,

Many AP staffers are producing content that refers to the situation in Iraq. It might be a local story about Iraq veterans, an international diplomatic story that mentions the Iraqi conflict or coverage on the ground in Iraq itself.

Whatever the subject, we should be correct and consistent in our description of what the situation in Iraq is. This guidance summarizes the situation and suggests wording to use and avoid.

To begin with, combat in Iraq is not over, and we should not uncritically repeat suggestions that it is, even if they come from senior officials. The situation on the ground in Iraq is no different today than it has been for some months. Iraqi security forces are still fighting Sunni and al-Qaida insurgents. Many Iraqis remain very concerned for their country's future despite a dramatic improvement in security, the economy and living conditions in many areas.

As for U.S. involvement, it also goes too far to say that the U.S. part in the conflict in Iraq is over. President Obama said Monday night that "the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country."

... Unless there is balancing language, our content should not refer to the end of combat in Iraq, or the end of U.S. military involvement. Nor should it say flat-out (since we can't predict the future) that the United States is at the end of its military role.

Read more: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=190064

[FraDon]

1. Brilliant :: "…we should not uncritically repeat …

suggestions that it is (combat over), even if they come from senior officials."

Grand idea, AP; I completely agree. It sounds vaguely journalistic.

I'm curious, AP: Do you folks have any Tony Blair-like, non-apologetic "regrets" that this epiphany didn't occur to you earlier?

Imagine, just imagine the last 10 years without uncritical repetition by you, and the vast majority of your main street media colleagues.

.

[Coyote_Bandit]

2. Another one for the "Duh" file

Saying that "the American combat mission in Iraq has ended" while simultaneously maintaining a large armed force which serves to train and reinforce national forces combating insurgents is little more than a shell game. While the semantics may have changed the US role in Iraq remains virtualy nchanged.

[Bobbieo]

3. Why would anyone in his/her right mind think the combat in Iraq is over?

[frylock]

4. knr