I hate the media
Oct. 13th, 2001 10:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
khaosworksWhere the hell is the truth these days? When the media report that protests are happening in Indonesia but not mentioning they are on a small scale, thereby scaring the shit out of US interests and forcing the economy down? When newspapers say that the Taliban claimed "hundreds" of Afghans killed when the death count released by the Taliban at the time was only 140? When an article describes Bin Laden being hailed as a Messiah "across the Arab and Muslim world" when it's only a few rabble-rousing clerics and Arab dissidents here and there mouthing off while every other Muslim I know is sensible enough to be worried as hell and I don't see anybody or any reports of people flocking to join Bin Laden's jihad?
I expect propaganda from governments. I expect the Russians to declare that no, no, it wasn't an Ukrainian missile gone awry, but a terrorist attack, just to find an excuse to kick Afghan ass in revenge. I expect exaggerated body counts from "official sources", adjusted up or down depending on how they want to spin the message. But god damn it, journalists are supposed to stand for something. Supposed to stand for the Truth, come hell or high water, and report it, undistorted. All of it.
No, I'm not naive. I'm being idealistic. Given the volatility of the world situation, it is just irresponsible to slant the headlines in opposition to what actually is going on, to play up certain things but neglecting to mention others. This isn't "You provide the pictures, I'll provide the war." This isn't going to just sell papers. This is going to topple already shaky economies. This is going to get people fucking killed.
And you wonder why people are sending anthrax care packages to journalists?
Oh, just go away. You disgust me.
I expect propaganda from governments. I expect the Russians to declare that no, no, it wasn't an Ukrainian missile gone awry, but a terrorist attack, just to find an excuse to kick Afghan ass in revenge. I expect exaggerated body counts from "official sources", adjusted up or down depending on how they want to spin the message. But god damn it, journalists are supposed to stand for something. Supposed to stand for the Truth, come hell or high water, and report it, undistorted. All of it.
No, I'm not naive. I'm being idealistic. Given the volatility of the world situation, it is just irresponsible to slant the headlines in opposition to what actually is going on, to play up certain things but neglecting to mention others. This isn't "You provide the pictures, I'll provide the war." This isn't going to just sell papers. This is going to topple already shaky economies. This is going to get people fucking killed.
And you wonder why people are sending anthrax care packages to journalists?
Oh, just go away. You disgust me.
Media
Date: 2001-10-12 10:15 pm (UTC)Terence, I adore you
Date: 2001-10-14 08:59 am (UTC)Here in the US, to listen to the news, it sounds like the entire Arab world, almost, adores Bin Laden. I've been struggling with my coworkers, many of whom believe we are at war with the entire Arab world (and/or that we should be), and it's extra hard when I'm struggling with my own feeling of disillusionment and wondering how broad-based hatred for the US and all it stands for is. To learn from you----well, I should know better than to think all is as it is presented by the media. But, thanks for this information. It helps a lot. --Ny from #filkhaven