Why coverage of Iraq is slanted


Getting trusted information where the reporters don't speak the language
One of the best columns I have seen on the subject so far.

Immediately after liberation, interpreting and "fixing" for the Coalition and for hundreds of foreign media people became a cottage industry, employing thousands. Most of those were former Ba'athist officials, often from the Ministry of Information or media companies owned by Saddam Hussein and his relatives. Some tried to curry favor with the new masters; others decided to wage political guerrilla war against the "invaders" by misleading them. Both ended up offering a twisted view of post-liberation Iraq.

The industry geared itself to meeting demand. In 2004, for example, many journalists coming to Baghdad wanted to interview the "militants" who were attacking U.S. soldiers. The industry obliged by arranging interviews.

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Imagine a resident of, say, Mandali or Nasseriah, who is told day and night that Iraq is sinking in a sea of fire and blood. He looks around and sees no evidence of that - but one can't blame him if he thinks that what the media say must be true in other parts of Iraq.

The fact that more than 90 percent of the violence that dominates reporting from Iraq takes place in five neighborhoods in Baghdad, plus one of the 18 Iraqi provinces, is neither here nor there. The perception is that all of Iraq is lost.

The old rule in the news business still holds: "If it bleeds, it leads." Stories about suicide attacks and carnage are more attractive than boring stuff about the emergence of a pluralist political consciousness and the mushrooming of thousands of small businesses.

Even the violence can't be properly covered. Reporters have no access to those who cause it and can only guess at their motives.

For a Western journalist who speaks no Arabic and has no contacts in the country, there are two options: embed with a U.S. or British military unit, or rely on Iraqi aides. Being embedded means seeing things through a narrow, and necessarily biased, angle. Relying on hired Iraqis means becoming a secondhand dealer in information that one cannot verify.

Amazing piece that is worth your time.

That is not to say that things are hunky dory and there are no problems in Iraq. But we are not nearly as doomed as some of the critics would have you believe. It takes time and effort to pick through the coverage on both sides and try to pick up a coherent picture.

For what it is worth, here is my take. The plan that President Bush is trying to push now should have been implemented about two years ago. The United States has really messed up the occupation.

Hat Tip Rite Wing Technopagan.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Wed - January 17, 2007 at 11:58 AM  Tag


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