American television, meanwhile, continues to present war as a bloodless sandpit in which the horrors of conflict — the mutilated bodies of the victims of aerial bombing, torn apart in the desert by wild dogs — are kept off the screen. Editors in New York and London make sure that viewers' "sensitivities" don't suffer, that we don't indulge in the "pornography" of death (which is exactly what war is) or "dishonor" the dead whom we have just killed.
Our prudish video coverage makes war easier to support, and journalists long ago became complicit with governments in making conflict and death more acceptable to viewers. Television journalism has thus become a lethal adjunct to war.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Ruined Berlin Afire After 2d Bombing; U. S. Planes Smash At Toulon and Sofia; 4 Japanese Destroyers Sunk In Battle
Ruined Berlin Afire After 2d Bombing; U. S. Planes Smash At Toulon and Sofia; 4
Japanese Destroyers Sunk In Battle
On this day in history, Nov. 23, 1943:
: "With the Seventh Army Air Force in the Central Pacific, Nov. 22 (Delayed)--United States Marine assault battalions today conquered the west end of Betio Island, on Tarawa atoll, driving the defenders into the sea and others onto the eastern open flat sections where they became excellent targets for dive-bombing and strafing attacks."
Japanese Destroyers Sunk In Battle
On this day in history, Nov. 23, 1943:
: "With the Seventh Army Air Force in the Central Pacific, Nov. 22 (Delayed)--United States Marine assault battalions today conquered the west end of Betio Island, on Tarawa atoll, driving the defenders into the sea and others onto the eastern open flat sections where they became excellent targets for dive-bombing and strafing attacks."
Clooney and a Maze of Collusion - New York Times
Clooney and a Maze of Collusion - New York Times:
'Syriana,' written and directed by Stephen Gaghan (who also wrote 'Traffic,' its obvious precursor), is a movie that demands and rewards close attention. Loosely based on the memoirs of a C.I.A. veteran, Robert Baer, on whom Mr. Clooney's character is modeled, it aims to be a great deal more than a standard geopolitical thriller and thereby succeeds in being one of the best geopolitical thrillers in a very long time. Along with Mr. Baer's book 'See No Evil,' it assimilates a whole shelf of post-9/11 nonfiction and journalism, spinning a complex, intriguing narrative about oil, terrorism, money and power. Parsing its details requires a good deal of concentration: important information is conveyed through whispered conversations and sidelong glances, and you may sometimes wish for a chart diagraming all the patterns of influence, connection and coincidence. But the mental labor of figuring out just what is going on is part of what makes the film such a rich and entertaining experience."
'Syriana,' written and directed by Stephen Gaghan (who also wrote 'Traffic,' its obvious precursor), is a movie that demands and rewards close attention. Loosely based on the memoirs of a C.I.A. veteran, Robert Baer, on whom Mr. Clooney's character is modeled, it aims to be a great deal more than a standard geopolitical thriller and thereby succeeds in being one of the best geopolitical thrillers in a very long time. Along with Mr. Baer's book 'See No Evil,' it assimilates a whole shelf of post-9/11 nonfiction and journalism, spinning a complex, intriguing narrative about oil, terrorism, money and power. Parsing its details requires a good deal of concentration: important information is conveyed through whispered conversations and sidelong glances, and you may sometimes wish for a chart diagraming all the patterns of influence, connection and coincidence. But the mental labor of figuring out just what is going on is part of what makes the film such a rich and entertaining experience."
El Paso Times - Local news
A Fort Bliss soldier who gained national attention two years ago when he was photographed carrying a wounded Iraqi boy to safety is the same man behind a shooting that terrified an East Side apartment complex Thursday, police and friends said.
The photopgraph mentioned was taken by Warren Zinn and is one of the first images to appear in War & Truth while Warren is talking about the importance of capturing a pience of history.
The photopgraph mentioned was taken by Warren Zinn and is one of the first images to appear in War & Truth while Warren is talking about the importance of capturing a pience of history.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Annapolis Film Festival
Annapolis Film Festival Winners
Overall Festival Winner - Favela Rising
*Best Feature - A Perfect Fit
*Best Documentary - War & Truth
*Short Documentary - Stand Up
*Short Narative - Pee Shy
*Short Animation - Joyride
Comcast Maryland Film Award - Full Moon Fables
Overall Festival Winner - Favela Rising
*Best Feature - A Perfect Fit
*Best Documentary - War & Truth
*Short Documentary - Stand Up
*Short Narative - Pee Shy
*Short Animation - Joyride
Comcast Maryland Film Award - Full Moon Fables
Thursday, October 27, 2005
CNN.com Specials
CNN.com Specials: "There have been 2,198 coalition troop deaths, 2,001 Americans, 98 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, two Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 26 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of October 26, 2005, according to a CNN count. (Graphical breakdown of casualties). The list below is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose families have been notified of their deaths by each country's government. At least 15,220 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. The Pentagon does not report the number of non-hostile wounded. Get a historical look at U.S. war casualties and view casualties in the war in Afghanistan."
CNN.com - War as real as it gets - Oct 26, 2005
CNN producer Cal Perry is embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Forward Operating Base Falcon: Northern Babil Province.
NORTHERN BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq (CNN) -- It's dubbed the "meat grinder." And the toll taken on U.S. forces on these roads patrolled by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the northern Babil province explains why.
NORTHERN BABIL PROVINCE, Iraq (CNN) -- It's dubbed the "meat grinder." And the toll taken on U.S. forces on these roads patrolled by the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in the northern Babil province explains why.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
"War & Truth" to premiere at the Annapolis Film Festival, Nov 13
War & Truth to Premiere at the Annapolis Film Festival, Nov. 13 at 2pm
This is the first official public screeningfor the film. PLEASE spread the word. Tickets are only $10 and include an animated short and a short feature.
This is the first official public screeningfor the film. PLEASE spread the word. Tickets are only $10 and include an animated short and a short feature.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Thursday, July 14, 2005
village voice > news > Press Clips by Sydney H. Schanberg
village voice > news > Press Clips by Sydney H. Schanberg
"History," Hegel said, "is a slaughterhouse." And war is how the slaughter is carried out.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Journalists under stress
Journalists under stress: "aily
News photographer David Handschuh was shooting through the haze and horror of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center when the south tower collapsed, blowing him down the block and burying him in debris. While his badly broken leg required months of recuperation, he is 'still dealing with what I paid witness to that day.' "
News photographer David Handschuh was shooting through the haze and horror of the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center when the south tower collapsed, blowing him down the block and burying him in debris. While his badly broken leg required months of recuperation, he is 'still dealing with what I paid witness to that day.' "
Monday, May 09, 2005
War Reporting an Issue in Suit Against ABC
War Reporting an Issue in Suit Against ABC :
"LONDON -- If a reporter refuses to go to a war zone, can his employer fire him?
No, say a growing number of codes of practice for journalists worldwide, developed in response to the increasing danger of war reporting. The News Security Group, formed in 2000 to establish guidelines to protect journalists, says clearly that 'assignments to war zones or hostile environments must be voluntary.' Networks such as CNN, ABC News, CBS News and NBC News have all agreed to follow the guidelines."
"LONDON -- If a reporter refuses to go to a war zone, can his employer fire him?
No, say a growing number of codes of practice for journalists worldwide, developed in response to the increasing danger of war reporting. The News Security Group, formed in 2000 to establish guidelines to protect journalists, says clearly that 'assignments to war zones or hostile environments must be voluntary.' Networks such as CNN, ABC News, CBS News and NBC News have all agreed to follow the guidelines."
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Media Downplay Historic Day of Protests
t r u t h o u t - Scott Galindez | Media Downplay Historic Day of Protests
Fayetteville, NC -- The second anniversary of the war was the impetus for major demonstrations throughout the world. In the United States, over 800 communities held events calling for an end to the occupation.
CNN, however, reported that in the United States "barely a ripple was made while large protests took place in Europe." The New York Times reported that protests in the United States ranged from 350 people in Times Square to thousands in San Francisco. Later in the same story, the Times reported that several thousand marched from Harlem to Central Park. If thousands marched in New York, why did the Times highlight the 350 in Times Square?
Fayetteville, NC -- The second anniversary of the war was the impetus for major demonstrations throughout the world. In the United States, over 800 communities held events calling for an end to the occupation.
CNN, however, reported that in the United States "barely a ripple was made while large protests took place in Europe." The New York Times reported that protests in the United States ranged from 350 people in Times Square to thousands in San Francisco. Later in the same story, the Times reported that several thousand marched from Harlem to Central Park. If thousands marched in New York, why did the Times highlight the 350 in Times Square?
Monday, March 14, 2005
Extreme Cinema Verite
Extreme Cinema Verite
Film cameras arrived at the front during World War II, but soldiers didn't really document their own combat experience until the Vietnam War. (The technology didn't lend itself to amateur moviemaking until the arrival of the smaller Super 8 cameras.)
Today, video cameras are lightweight and digital technology has cut out the need for processing. Having captured a firefight on video, a soldier can create a movie and distribute it via e-mail, uncensored by the military. With editing software such as Avid and access to Internet connections on military bases here, U.S. soldiers are creating fast-paced, MTV-style music videos using images from actual firefights and killings.
Film cameras arrived at the front during World War II, but soldiers didn't really document their own combat experience until the Vietnam War. (The technology didn't lend itself to amateur moviemaking until the arrival of the smaller Super 8 cameras.)
Today, video cameras are lightweight and digital technology has cut out the need for processing. Having captured a firefight on video, a soldier can create a movie and distribute it via e-mail, uncensored by the military. With editing software such as Avid and access to Internet connections on military bases here, U.S. soldiers are creating fast-paced, MTV-style music videos using images from actual firefights and killings.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
calendarlive.com: Basic training for chronicling a war beyond words
calendarlive.com: Basic training for chronicling a war beyond words: "
Over the last nine months, two dozen established writers have conducted NEA-organized writing workshops at Camp Pendleton and 10 other military bases — the next is scheduled for this week at Fort Bragg — to prod returning vets and their stateside spouses to write about their experiences in fiction, nonfiction or poems. The NEA hopes to anthologize the best of the work submitted by the end of March in a book to be published next year.
"
Over the last nine months, two dozen established writers have conducted NEA-organized writing workshops at Camp Pendleton and 10 other military bases — the next is scheduled for this week at Fort Bragg — to prod returning vets and their stateside spouses to write about their experiences in fiction, nonfiction or poems. The NEA hopes to anthologize the best of the work submitted by the end of March in a book to be published next year.
"
Monday, March 07, 2005
t r u t h o u t - Frank Rich: What's Missing from the News
t r u t h o u t - Frank Rich: What's Missing from the News: "
New York - Two weeks ago Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide. This week Dan Rather commits ritual suicide, leaving the anchor chair at CBS prematurely as penance for his toxic National Guard story. The two journalists shared little but an abiding distaste - make that hatred in Thompson's case - for the Great Satan of 20th-century American politics, Richard Nixon. The best work of both was long behind them. Yet memories of that best work - not to mention the coincidental timing of their departures - only accentuate the vacuum in that cultural category we stubbornly insist on calling News.
What's missing from News in the United States is the news. On ABC, Peter Jennings devotes two hours of prime time to playing peek-a-boo with UFO fanatics, a whorish stunt crafted to deliver ratings, not information. On NBC, Brian Williams is busy as all get-out, as every promo reminds us, 'Reporting America's Story.' That story just happens to be the relentless branding of Brian Williams as America's anchorman - a guy just too in love with Folks Like Us to waste his time looking closely at, say, anything happening in Washington."
New York - Two weeks ago Hunter S. Thompson committed suicide. This week Dan Rather commits ritual suicide, leaving the anchor chair at CBS prematurely as penance for his toxic National Guard story. The two journalists shared little but an abiding distaste - make that hatred in Thompson's case - for the Great Satan of 20th-century American politics, Richard Nixon. The best work of both was long behind them. Yet memories of that best work - not to mention the coincidental timing of their departures - only accentuate the vacuum in that cultural category we stubbornly insist on calling News.
What's missing from News in the United States is the news. On ABC, Peter Jennings devotes two hours of prime time to playing peek-a-boo with UFO fanatics, a whorish stunt crafted to deliver ratings, not information. On NBC, Brian Williams is busy as all get-out, as every promo reminds us, 'Reporting America's Story.' That story just happens to be the relentless branding of Brian Williams as America's anchorman - a guy just too in love with Folks Like Us to waste his time looking closely at, say, anything happening in Washington."
MediaChannel.org - A Global Network of More Than 1,000 Media Issues Groups
MediaChannel.org - A Global Network of More Than 1,000 Media Issues Groups:
"NEW YORK, March 2, 2005 -- On March 9, Dan Rather will step down after 24 years as anchor of the CBS Evening News. Media retrospectives of Rather's career will likely refer to the long-running right-wing critique of Rather's supposed 'liberalism.' But the notion that Rather has used his CBS platform to disseminate left-wing propaganda over the last two decades does not hold up to scrutiny.
If Rather can be accused of anything, it's the same bias one can see throughout the mainstream media: an unwillingness to challenge official power and policy. And it's a bias that Rather has admitted to embracing; speaking at a Harvard forum on the media (7/25/04), Rather offered no apologies for uncritical reporting on Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction:
'Look, when a president of the United States, any president, Republican or Democrat, says these are the facts, there is heavy prejudice, including my own, to g"
"NEW YORK, March 2, 2005 -- On March 9, Dan Rather will step down after 24 years as anchor of the CBS Evening News. Media retrospectives of Rather's career will likely refer to the long-running right-wing critique of Rather's supposed 'liberalism.' But the notion that Rather has used his CBS platform to disseminate left-wing propaganda over the last two decades does not hold up to scrutiny.
If Rather can be accused of anything, it's the same bias one can see throughout the mainstream media: an unwillingness to challenge official power and policy. And it's a bias that Rather has admitted to embracing; speaking at a Harvard forum on the media (7/25/04), Rather offered no apologies for uncritical reporting on Iraq's supposed weapons of mass destruction:
'Look, when a president of the United States, any president, Republican or Democrat, says these are the facts, there is heavy prejudice, including my own, to g"
Reluctant Rather Is Set to Sign Off
Reluctant Rather Is Set to Sign Off :
"After months at the center of a media storm and years as one of the most polarizing figures on the American news scene, Dan Rather will sign off this week as anchor of 'CBS Evening News.' But to paraphrase one of his homespun Rather-isms, don't bet the trailer money that he'll disappear.
'I'm not retiring, I'm changing jobs,' the 73-year-old newsman insisted in a phone interview. Still, his voice caught when he was asked what he could yet do in his career to make viewers forget about his role in a flawed story last year on President Bush's military service.
"
"After months at the center of a media storm and years as one of the most polarizing figures on the American news scene, Dan Rather will sign off this week as anchor of 'CBS Evening News.' But to paraphrase one of his homespun Rather-isms, don't bet the trailer money that he'll disappear.
'I'm not retiring, I'm changing jobs,' the 73-year-old newsman insisted in a phone interview. Still, his voice caught when he was asked what he could yet do in his career to make viewers forget about his role in a flawed story last year on President Bush's military service.
"
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
washingtonpost.com – White House Briefing – News on President George W Bush and the Bush Administration
washingtonpost.com – White House Briefing – News on President George W Bush and the Bush Administration:
"And after a few days in which the chatter was fixated on the salacious associations that bloggers uncovered between James D. Guckert (Gannon's real name) and gay escort Web sites, the focus is back on a serious public policy question: Why was a non-journalist asking slanted non-questions welcomed into the White House Briefing room?"
"And after a few days in which the chatter was fixated on the salacious associations that bloggers uncovered between James D. Guckert (Gannon's real name) and gay escort Web sites, the focus is back on a serious public policy question: Why was a non-journalist asking slanted non-questions welcomed into the White House Briefing room?"
Joe Galloway: The Pentagon's Lies
Joe Galloway: The Pentagon's Lies
There is a struggle inside the Pentagon over where to draw the line in conducting so-called information operations or propaganda in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and who will be involved. On one side are the information warfare activists, led by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Assistant Secretary Douglas Feith. On the other are those who believe that telling lies to the media is wrong and military public affairs officers should never be involved in that.
There is a struggle inside the Pentagon over where to draw the line in conducting so-called information operations or propaganda in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and who will be involved. On one side are the information warfare activists, led by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Assistant Secretary Douglas Feith. On the other are those who believe that telling lies to the media is wrong and military public affairs officers should never be involved in that.
New Journalism's Dark Prince
New Journalism's Dark Prince :
"The suicide of Hunter S. Thompson, the best-selling writer who pioneered an extravagant form of participatory journalism famously labeled 'gonzo,' brought to a sober close an era of print journalism rooted in the raucous 1960s.
Unlike other practitioners of the so-called New Journalism, Thompson, who died Sunday, was a full-fledged participant in his stories, which explored the dark recesses of the American dream.
"The suicide of Hunter S. Thompson, the best-selling writer who pioneered an extravagant form of participatory journalism famously labeled 'gonzo,' brought to a sober close an era of print journalism rooted in the raucous 1960s.
Unlike other practitioners of the so-called New Journalism, Thompson, who died Sunday, was a full-fledged participant in his stories, which explored the dark recesses of the American dream.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
CPJ Press Freedom Online
CPJ Press Freedom Online
The media was abuzz over comments attributed to CNN news executive Eason Jordan that some of the several dozen journalists killed in Iraq were deliberately targeted by U.S. forces. Pundits, bloggers, columnists, and members of Congress expressed outrage at the remarks—and Jordan, who later made clear that he never believed or meant to suggest that the U.S. military deliberately tried to kill journalists, resigned in the aftermath.
The media was abuzz over comments attributed to CNN news executive Eason Jordan that some of the several dozen journalists killed in Iraq were deliberately targeted by U.S. forces. Pundits, bloggers, columnists, and members of Congress expressed outrage at the remarks—and Jordan, who later made clear that he never believed or meant to suggest that the U.S. military deliberately tried to kill journalists, resigned in the aftermath.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Breaking Ranks to Shun War
Breaking Ranks to Shun War
"War robs you of your humanity. It makes people do terrible things they would otherwise never do," Benderman said in the living room of his home in Hinesville, his wife, Monica, by his side and his dog, Carl, at his feet.
"War robs you of your humanity. It makes people do terrible things they would otherwise never do," Benderman said in the living room of his home in Hinesville, his wife, Monica, by his side and his dog, Carl, at his feet.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Kevin Sites Blog
Kevin Sites Blog
Kevin Sites was taking time off in southeast Asia when the tsunami took place. He remained in the region to filed reports, and has just now posted this extensive first-hand account -- with photos -- documenting some of what he witnessed there.
Kevin Sites was taking time off in southeast Asia when the tsunami took place. He remained in the region to filed reports, and has just now posted this extensive first-hand account -- with photos -- documenting some of what he witnessed there.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/23/2005 | Journalists' objectivity needs balance of truth
Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/23/2005 | Journalists' objectivity needs balance of truth: "Balance and objectivity, without a strong commitment to the truth, can turn journalism into farce. It was impossible to witness the army massacres in El Salvador or the murder of children by Bosnian Serb snipers in Sarajevo without being revolted. I hated these crimes. I took risks, along with many of my colleagues, to expose and explain them. And I wanted, through my reporting, to get the world to wake up and put an end to the wholesale murder of innocents."
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma: "Several organizations have been soliciting and organizing aid for journalists affected by the South Asian tsunami.
Internews has established a “Journalist Support Fund” that will direct aid to local media outlets. Internews is accepting online donations through 'Network for Good.' An Internews press release explains:"
Internews has established a “Journalist Support Fund” that will direct aid to local media outlets. Internews is accepting online donations through 'Network for Good.' An Internews press release explains:"
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma: "The word 'indescribable' is one of those clichés often used by people too lazy to really describe what they're seeing.
But for the first time in my professional career, I found a place where indescribable was actually the most accurate description."
But for the first time in my professional career, I found a place where indescribable was actually the most accurate description."
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma
Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma: "U.S. Army stress-control guidelines for troops who are exposed to large numbers of dead human bodies may be helpful to reporters and photographers covering the tsunami aftermath at the scene, and also to photo and video editors back in the newsroom."
Women Reporting War
Women Reporting War: "A high number of women war reporters have suffered physical attack or intimidation while covering conflicts, according to a new survey.
More than half of those who responded to the poll by the International News Safety Institute (INSI) reported sexual harassment and a significant number said they had experienced sexual abuse.
Several of the women called for self-defence to be made an intrinsic part of safety training. Requests were also made for female trainers on Hostile Environment training courses."
More than half of those who responded to the poll by the International News Safety Institute (INSI) reported sexual harassment and a significant number said they had experienced sexual abuse.
Several of the women called for self-defence to be made an intrinsic part of safety training. Requests were also made for female trainers on Hostile Environment training courses."
News Safety Institute
News Safety Institute
NOTICEBOARD
In this section we plan to post comments and advice received from journalists and others about locations they are currently working in or have recently visited, for the benefit of others who may need to work in these places. You will be able to read those comments here and are also invited to send us your own responses, advice and details of your experiences, using our Add Advice facility.
NOTICEBOARD
In this section we plan to post comments and advice received from journalists and others about locations they are currently working in or have recently visited, for the benefit of others who may need to work in these places. You will be able to read those comments here and are also invited to send us your own responses, advice and details of your experiences, using our Add Advice facility.
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