Dart Centre | Europe
An interview with Valentin Areh, a Slovenian war correspondent who survived a tortuous escape out of Kosovo in 1999 during NATO’s war to expel Serbian forces.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Dart Centre | Europe
Dart Centre | Europe
Since the tragic events in the Russian town of Beslan two months ago, when more than four hundred children and adults died after being taken hostage by militants demanding independence for Chechnya, counselling centres have been working hard to try to help the survivors ... BBC2 broadcast a special concert and film as part of efforts to raise money for post-traumatic stress care in Beslan. For the programme, Jonathan Charles went back to Beslan for the first time since he reported on September's dreadful events. His visit was a very personal one — not just to look at how people there were coping but also to try to deal with his own demons following the events that he witnessed:
Since the tragic events in the Russian town of Beslan two months ago, when more than four hundred children and adults died after being taken hostage by militants demanding independence for Chechnya, counselling centres have been working hard to try to help the survivors ... BBC2 broadcast a special concert and film as part of efforts to raise money for post-traumatic stress care in Beslan. For the programme, Jonathan Charles went back to Beslan for the first time since he reported on September's dreadful events. His visit was a very personal one — not just to look at how people there were coping but also to try to deal with his own demons following the events that he witnessed:
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
NewsDissector.org | The Dissector's Daily Blog
NewsDissector.org | The Dissector's Daily Blog
Yup, ANOTHER "Indy" film is out attacking the media for its war reporting. Another film about the Iraq War. This one was made with about ten times my budget and is opening in twice as many cities, And it is apparently getting a big PR boost around the country. I must have missed it because of the all the traveling I have been doing.
Significantly, this movie is being is being touted as an "Anti-Michael Moore film."How about that? After spending a few hours checking it out, I became convinced that this movie actually belongs in MY movie because it smells positively Rumsfeldesque and appears to be a weapon of mass deception in its own right.
Yup, ANOTHER "Indy" film is out attacking the media for its war reporting. Another film about the Iraq War. This one was made with about ten times my budget and is opening in twice as many cities, And it is apparently getting a big PR boost around the country. I must have missed it because of the all the traveling I have been doing.
Significantly, this movie is being is being touted as an "Anti-Michael Moore film."How about that? After spending a few hours checking it out, I became convinced that this movie actually belongs in MY movie because it smells positively Rumsfeldesque and appears to be a weapon of mass deception in its own right.
PR Meets Psy-Ops in War on Terror
PR Meets Psy-Ops in War on Terror
"The movement of information has gone from the public affairs world to the psychological operations world," one senior defense official said. "What's at stake is the credibility of people in uniform."
"The movement of information has gone from the public affairs world to the psychological operations world," one senior defense official said. "What's at stake is the credibility of people in uniform."
Monday, November 29, 2004
WorkingForChange-Thanksgiving in Iraq
WorkingForChange-Thanksgiving in Iraq
Characteristically, American media has yet to fully catch up to the latest bad news from Iraq. And, so, while American media focused on the recent U.S. blitz on Fallujah, the political and military fallout from that offensive hasn't gotten nearly the play it deserves. Put simply: Iraqi anger over the flattening of Fallujah, and the creation of a refugee population of the survivors among its 400,000 residents, not only threatens the January elections, but has turned virtually every corner of Iraq into an insurgent hotbed.
Characteristically, American media has yet to fully catch up to the latest bad news from Iraq. And, so, while American media focused on the recent U.S. blitz on Fallujah, the political and military fallout from that offensive hasn't gotten nearly the play it deserves. Put simply: Iraqi anger over the flattening of Fallujah, and the creation of a refugee population of the survivors among its 400,000 residents, not only threatens the January elections, but has turned virtually every corner of Iraq into an insurgent hotbed.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Shoot the Messenger
Shoot the Messenger
Shoot the Messenger
When Darrin Mortenson, a former embed for a California paper, defended the NBC reporter who videotaped a U.S. Marine in Fallujah shooting an injured insurgent, he got a lot of hate mail. "Go back to Iraq with a target on your back," wrote one.
By Greg Mitchell
Shoot the Messenger
When Darrin Mortenson, a former embed for a California paper, defended the NBC reporter who videotaped a U.S. Marine in Fallujah shooting an injured insurgent, he got a lot of hate mail. "Go back to Iraq with a target on your back," wrote one.
By Greg Mitchell
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Open Letter to Devil Dogs of the 3.1
Kevin Sites Blog
Since the shooting in the Mosque, I've been haunted that I have not been able to tell you directly what I saw or explain the process by which the world came to see it as well. As you know, I'm not some war zone tourist with a camera who doesn't understand that ugly things happen in combat. I've spent most of the last five years covering global conflict. But I have never in my career been a 'gotcha' reporter -- hoping for people to commit wrongdoings so I can catch them at it.
Since the shooting in the Mosque, I've been haunted that I have not been able to tell you directly what I saw or explain the process by which the world came to see it as well. As you know, I'm not some war zone tourist with a camera who doesn't understand that ugly things happen in combat. I've spent most of the last five years covering global conflict. But I have never in my career been a 'gotcha' reporter -- hoping for people to commit wrongdoings so I can catch them at it.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Road Rules for Surviving on the Streets of Baghdad
Road Rules for Surviving on the Streets of Baghdad
On a day a car bomb hits a police station, never travel alone and never stop, a reporter learns.
By John Hendren, Times Staff Writer
On a day a car bomb hits a police station, never travel alone and never stop, a reporter learns.
By John Hendren, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
BBC - Press Office - Richard Sambrook Poliak lecture
BBC - Press Office - Richard Sambrook Poliak lecture:
"I am going to talk about the idea of objectivity in journalism, the pressures it is under now, the changing face of news organisations, the views and concerns of the audience, and finally suggest some ways that journalists and news rooms might re-claim the idea of objectivity for the 21st century. "
"I am going to talk about the idea of objectivity in journalism, the pressures it is under now, the changing face of news organisations, the views and concerns of the audience, and finally suggest some ways that journalists and news rooms might re-claim the idea of objectivity for the 21st century. "
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
The blame for the news media's failures in covering the Bush administration and the war in Iraq lies mainly with the top editors at national news outlets, say acclaimed reporters Seymour Hersh and Jonathan Schell.
The blame for the news media's failures in covering the Bush administration and the war in Iraq lies mainly with the top editors at national news outlets, say acclaimed reporters Seymour Hersh and Jonathan Schell.
Friday, November 12, 2004
NewsDissector.org | The Dissector's Daily Blog
NewsDissector.org | The Dissector's Daily Blog
Murder seems to be the mandate as our re-elected President spends "political capital" with the lives of young soldiers. One article I read spoke of this escalation of the war a "faith based massacre." Perhaps it's just the big-bang start of Allawi's presidential campaign or maybem as the EU chief suggests, a pretext for ending elections unlikely to go "our" way.
Electronic Iraq's Dahr Jamail reminds us "The US and British governments, along with the US-installed Iraqi interim government have rejected an appeal made by Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the UN, who warned that attacking Falluja would jeopardize the elections slated for January in Iraq."
BBC reports this AM: "It is estimated there could be tens of thousands of civilians still in Falluja. The BBC's Paul Wood, embedded with US soldiers -- and whose reporting is subject to military restrictions -- says US-led forces are having to fight every step of the way."
Murder seems to be the mandate as our re-elected President spends "political capital" with the lives of young soldiers. One article I read spoke of this escalation of the war a "faith based massacre." Perhaps it's just the big-bang start of Allawi's presidential campaign or maybem as the EU chief suggests, a pretext for ending elections unlikely to go "our" way.
Electronic Iraq's Dahr Jamail reminds us "The US and British governments, along with the US-installed Iraqi interim government have rejected an appeal made by Kofi Annan, the Secretary General of the UN, who warned that attacking Falluja would jeopardize the elections slated for January in Iraq."
BBC reports this AM: "It is estimated there could be tens of thousands of civilians still in Falluja. The BBC's Paul Wood, embedded with US soldiers -- and whose reporting is subject to military restrictions -- says US-led forces are having to fight every step of the way."
Media For Democracy 2004 | Take Action: Networks Return to the Front, and to TV Group Think
Media For Democracy 2004 | Take Action: Networks Return to the Front, and to TV Group Think
Judging from the reporting that has accompanied the bloodletting in Fallujah, it appears that -- in the words of West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd -- the media have, once again, bought into the Pentagon war narrative "hook, line and sinker."
Judging from the reporting that has accompanied the bloodletting in Fallujah, it appears that -- in the words of West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd -- the media have, once again, bought into the Pentagon war narrative "hook, line and sinker."
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . INTERVIEW . Chris Hedges . January 31, 2003 | PBS
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . INTERVIEW . Chris Hedges . January 31, 2003 | PBS: "Harvard"
Read more of Bob Abernethy's interview with NEW YORK TIMES reporter Chris Hedges, author of WAR IS A FORCE THAT GIVES US MEANING:
When you ask a democracy to go to war, the state is required to give evidence to the citizens that there is a credible and real threat against them, and that, therefore, their sons and daughters should be put in a situation in which they could be killed. I think that is a minimum in a democracy.
Read more of Bob Abernethy's interview with NEW YORK TIMES reporter Chris Hedges, author of WAR IS A FORCE THAT GIVES US MEANING:
When you ask a democracy to go to war, the state is required to give evidence to the citizens that there is a credible and real threat against them, and that, therefore, their sons and daughters should be put in a situation in which they could be killed. I think that is a minimum in a democracy.
Monday, November 08, 2004
Dart Centre | Europe
Dart Centre | Europe
"What you shoot, what you film and see can't just be forgotten easily. These pictures go home with you, stay in your mind, in your dreams." -Nael Shyoukhri
"What you shoot, what you film and see can't just be forgotten easily. These pictures go home with you, stay in your mind, in your dreams." -Nael Shyoukhri
Saturday, November 06, 2004
FAIR ACTION ALERT:
FAIR ACTION ALERT:
The Bush administration's long-running attempts to link Iraq and Al Qaeda were dealt a serious blow when the September 11 commission's June 16 interim report indicated that there did not appear to be a "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Osama bin Laden, and that there was no evidence that Iraq was involved in the September 11 attacks.
But if you were watching the Fox News Channel, you saw something very different, as the conservative cable network eagerly defended the Bush administration and criticized the rest of the media for mishandling the story.
The Bush administration's long-running attempts to link Iraq and Al Qaeda were dealt a serious blow when the September 11 commission's June 16 interim report indicated that there did not appear to be a "collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Osama bin Laden, and that there was no evidence that Iraq was involved in the September 11 attacks.
But if you were watching the Fox News Channel, you saw something very different, as the conservative cable network eagerly defended the Bush administration and criticized the rest of the media for mishandling the story.
Media Reporting, Journalism and Propaganda
Media Reporting, Journalism and Propaganda
by Anup Shah
The war on Iraq, however swift in its short three week period, was accompanied by propaganda from many angles. From the ridiculous claims of the Iraqi information minister that the Americans will surrender or perish, or that they were nowhere near Baghdad (while coalition tanks could be heard just a mile from where he said that!) to the subtle propaganda of Coalition nations' media, that at times minimized the civilian casualties, highlighted the awesome military force of the coalition, minimized geopolitical discussion and context, and often jumped at unconfirmed reports as confirmed news.
by Anup Shah
The war on Iraq, however swift in its short three week period, was accompanied by propaganda from many angles. From the ridiculous claims of the Iraqi information minister that the Americans will surrender or perish, or that they were nowhere near Baghdad (while coalition tanks could be heard just a mile from where he said that!) to the subtle propaganda of Coalition nations' media, that at times minimized the civilian casualties, highlighted the awesome military force of the coalition, minimized geopolitical discussion and context, and often jumped at unconfirmed reports as confirmed news.
Under the Gun in Fallouja
Under the Gun in Fallouja
Some of the remaining residents willingly help rebels. Others fear them and want them out.
By Alissa J. Rubin, Times Staff Writer
FALLOUJA, Iraq — This rebel city's broad boulevards are empty now, the mosques thinly attended even for Friday prayers. Save for those too poor, too old or too sick to leave, Fallouja has been left to the insurgents and the Marines who vow to crush them.
Some of the remaining residents willingly help rebels. Others fear them and want them out.
By Alissa J. Rubin, Times Staff Writer
FALLOUJA, Iraq — This rebel city's broad boulevards are empty now, the mosques thinly attended even for Friday prayers. Save for those too poor, too old or too sick to leave, Fallouja has been left to the insurgents and the Marines who vow to crush them.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Chicago Tribune | Will draft cards make a comeback?
Chicago Tribune | Will draft cards make a comeback?
Just about every talking head in Congress and the Bush administration denies it, including President Bush. But rumors of a looming military draft, fed by the Internet, mischievous Democrats and anxious draft-age youths, have become a persistent annoyance in these tense political times.
Monday, October 11, 2004
MySA.com: Editorials
MySA.com: Editorials
Sig Christenson
Express-News Military Writer
CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar — A familiar Iraqi street scene plays out on a flat-screen TV in the office of the U.S. Central Command's No. 2 man here. Shot from an RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, the image captures Iraqis in traditional Arab dress walking onto a street in Mosul near a set of earthtone homes.
"You're looking at a city that didn't look very much different than any community in the United States," said Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy chief of the U.S. Central Command. "Traffic all over the place, people all over the streets, commerce going on, and they don't have mortars going off and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) blowing up and all that stuff all the time."
That's the Iraq he thinks many Americans never see or read about. It's an argument as old as the U.S.-led occupation and tends to be made by some in the military and supporters of President Bush. Once a whisper, the claim is now a roar. "You're not telling the good news stories," they say.
Sig Christenson
Express-News Military Writer
CAMP AS SALIYAH, Qatar — A familiar Iraqi street scene plays out on a flat-screen TV in the office of the U.S. Central Command's No. 2 man here. Shot from an RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, the image captures Iraqis in traditional Arab dress walking onto a street in Mosul near a set of earthtone homes.
"You're looking at a city that didn't look very much different than any community in the United States," said Lt. Gen. Lance Smith, deputy chief of the U.S. Central Command. "Traffic all over the place, people all over the streets, commerce going on, and they don't have mortars going off and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) blowing up and all that stuff all the time."
That's the Iraq he thinks many Americans never see or read about. It's an argument as old as the U.S.-led occupation and tends to be made by some in the military and supporters of President Bush. Once a whisper, the claim is now a roar. "You're not telling the good news stories," they say.
Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote
LINK: Major Assaults on Hold Until After U.S. Vote
By Mark Mazzetti, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
By Mark Mazzetti, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race.
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Interview with Danny Schechter about "WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception" about the American media, 09/04
LINK: Interview with Danny Schechter about "WMD: Weapons of Mass Deception" about the American media, 09/04
It seems practical, even reasonable, to rely on news organizations to broadcast accurately. Such informational institutions exist to dig up the facts, right? Maybe not. In the aftermath of President Bush's crusade to eliminate the seemingly omnipotent threat of 'weapons of mass destruction,' it has become pretty obvious that what initially appeared to be a deed of heroism and liberation was actually a vicious act of messy retribution. The burning question is, how much did the embedded American media uncover while reporting from the Middle East? Were American audiences actually getting the facts as they unfolded, or were we shielded from the truth?
It seems practical, even reasonable, to rely on news organizations to broadcast accurately. Such informational institutions exist to dig up the facts, right? Maybe not. In the aftermath of President Bush's crusade to eliminate the seemingly omnipotent threat of 'weapons of mass destruction,' it has become pretty obvious that what initially appeared to be a deed of heroism and liberation was actually a vicious act of messy retribution. The burning question is, how much did the embedded American media uncover while reporting from the Middle East? Were American audiences actually getting the facts as they unfolded, or were we shielded from the truth?
Under Threat
Under Threat
New York, May 17, 2004—Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, twenty-seven journalists have been killed covering the war and its aftermath. Nearly all of those killed in 2003 were foreign correspondents, from the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere. In 2004, however, 12 of the 14 killed to date were Iraqis. Six Iraqi media workers have also been killed.
New York, May 17, 2004—Since the U.S. invasion of Iraq began in March 2003, twenty-seven journalists have been killed covering the war and its aftermath. Nearly all of those killed in 2003 were foreign correspondents, from the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, Germany, the United States, and elsewhere. In 2004, however, 12 of the 14 killed to date were Iraqis. Six Iraqi media workers have also been killed.
Letter from Iraq
Letter from Iraq
Security is tenuous for everyone in Iraq, but conditions for journalists have deteriorated to the point that many major news agencies now rely on local stringers and employees for newsgathering. Among nearly every constituency here, hostility toward journalists has increased.
Security is tenuous for everyone in Iraq, but conditions for journalists have deteriorated to the point that many major news agencies now rely on local stringers and employees for newsgathering. Among nearly every constituency here, hostility toward journalists has increased.
WSJ reporter Farnaz Fassihi's letter from Baghdad.
War and Piece:
Being a foreign correspondent in Baghdad these days is like being under virtual house arrest. Forget about the reasons that lured me to this job: a chance to see the world, explore the exotic, meet new people in far away lands, discover their ways and tell stories that could make a difference.
Being a foreign correspondent in Baghdad these days is like being under virtual house arrest. Forget about the reasons that lured me to this job: a chance to see the world, explore the exotic, meet new people in far away lands, discover their ways and tell stories that could make a difference.
Will 'WSJ' Reporter Who Wrote Famous E-mail on Horrid Conditions In Iraq Lose Her Beat?
Will 'WSJ' Reporter Who Wrote Famous E-mail on Horrid Conditions In Iraq Lose Her Beat?
(October 04, 2004) -- Will Wall Street Journal reporter Farnaz Fassihi be taken off her Baghdad beat in response to the notoriety surrounding the world-famous e-mail that she wrote 11 days ago? Her editor, Paul Steiger, says no, she is just taking a well-earned and long-scheduled vacation, out of the country. Fassihi confirmed this in an e-mail to E&P on Monday night.
(October 04, 2004) -- Will Wall Street Journal reporter Farnaz Fassihi be taken off her Baghdad beat in response to the notoriety surrounding the world-famous e-mail that she wrote 11 days ago? Her editor, Paul Steiger, says no, she is just taking a well-earned and long-scheduled vacation, out of the country. Fassihi confirmed this in an e-mail to E&P on Monday night.
Confronting the Horror
American Journalism Review
SIFTING THROUGH GRISLY AUTOPSY reports on abused, murdered children, Arizona Republic reporter Karina Bland was transfixed by a Polaroid photo. It was stapled to a police file labeled ``Ashley Guerard, 8 months,'' and showed a tiny pink coffin. Bland made a mental note to describe it in her copy as ``the size of a dresser drawer.''
SIFTING THROUGH GRISLY AUTOPSY reports on abused, murdered children, Arizona Republic reporter Karina Bland was transfixed by a Polaroid photo. It was stapled to a police file labeled ``Ashley Guerard, 8 months,'' and showed a tiny pink coffin. Bland made a mental note to describe it in her copy as ``the size of a dresser drawer.''
Republicans, Out of Ideas, Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore
Republicans, Out of Ideas, Ask Prosecutors to Arrest Michael Moore
By: Michael Moore
Published: Oct 7, 2004
Dear Friends,
You may have heard by now that the Michigan Republican Party has called for my arrest. That's right. They literally want me brought up on charges -- and hope that I'm locked up.
No, I'm not kidding. The Republican Party, yesterday, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutors in each of the counties where I spoke last week in Michigan.
My crime? Clean underwear for anyone who will vote in the upcoming election.
By: Michael Moore
Published: Oct 7, 2004
Dear Friends,
You may have heard by now that the Michigan Republican Party has called for my arrest. That's right. They literally want me brought up on charges -- and hope that I'm locked up.
No, I'm not kidding. The Republican Party, yesterday, filed a criminal complaint with the prosecutors in each of the counties where I spoke last week in Michigan.
My crime? Clean underwear for anyone who will vote in the upcoming election.
NPR : Analysis of Media Coverage of the War
NPR : Analysis of Media Coverage of the War
American media is split over how to deal with graphic images of American dead and wounded. Some newspapers are running photographs of American POWs, others are not. Even within television networks, there is no agreement over whether to broadcast video of dead or injured American soldiers. Hear Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz.
American media is split over how to deal with graphic images of American dead and wounded. Some newspapers are running photographs of American POWs, others are not. Even within television networks, there is no agreement over whether to broadcast video of dead or injured American soldiers. Hear Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz.
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