The Press and the Iraq war

The World Press Review (May 2003) has a cover article entitled "The Press Goes to War", but perhaps it should be entitled "TV goes to war", For the first time, correspondents accompany soldiers, at the risk of their lives. People love violence, TV loves violence, so war and TV are naturally allies. The Pentagon must have calculated that such TV would arouse the patriotism of viewers. However, from the viewpoint of information and analysis, the press continues to do a much better job. This issue of the World Press Review as usual familiarizes Americans and others with the variety of viewpoints on events such as the Iraq war. There is stress on the lies which accompany wars, notably those put out by governments.

In the US there is a lot of facile and unjustified criticism of the press, whereas it is really TV that should be criticized for sensationalism and repetitiveness., However, the press is becoming more critical of itself. It is not the silly charge that the press is "liberal", but that it allows itself to be influenced. The Global Journalist (first quarter, 2003) has an article "Corruption in the Media Worldwide. Money vs Ethics. A Balancing Act. Corruption infests the news business. Money compromises journalistic integrity" It gives details of. bribes paid by governments and businesses in various countries. Usually it is the publisher, a businessman, who accepts the bribes. This should not hide the fact that journalists themselves risk their lives, as is evident in the section "Death watch" which givers details of some of the worst cases.

Both the World Press Review and Global Journalist perform an important public service. They deserve our support.

Ronald Hilton - 4/20/03