MSM Iraq war reporting: Good news is no news
Those of you who have been blogosphere readers for a while will be familiar with the name Arthur Chrenkoff. Between May 2004 and September 2005, he was a dogged chronicler of Good News From Iraq and a chief counterbalancing force on the Internet facing the “grim death toll” media.
He’s back from a break in blogging to assess the state of media reporting from Iraq. Read his piece at PJM. A snippet:
Firstly, it is true that Iraq has largely disappeared from the media radar, especially by contrast with three years ago. Whereas that one day in January 2005, some 11,528 stories discussed various aspects of the situation in Iraq and the political response thereto, three years later, only 3,552 did.
Secondly, the balance between the negative and the positive reports has improved dramatically. On January 22, 2008, there have been 1,944 stories published that dwelt largely on bad news from Iraq: 687 about a terrorist attack at a funeral, 713 reporting the clashes with a Shia cult during the Ashura celebrations, 169 stories reporting on recent US military deaths in Iraq, 150 news items about Iraq in Democratic debates, with the remainder made up of other miscellaneous stories.
That was still a significant number, but the tally of positive news now stood at 1,160. Among them, 711 stories commenting on the decline in roadside bomb attacks, 98 reports about the UN envoy acknowledging the improving situation in Iraq, 46 stories about the new IMF report painting a quite positive picture of Iraqi economy, and various other lesser stories. There have also been 448 neutral news stories, largely relating to troop movements, as well as touting General Petraeus as a possible new commander of NATO.
In all, there was one good news story for every 1.67 bad news ones. Certainly makes for an improvement on the one to 27 ratio three years ago.
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Why should the MSM report the good things that happen. It does not fit their politics. It is like local news. Very rarelydo they report good things around town. The lead story is never “young Boy Scout earns his Eagle.” film at eleven.
With so many people believeing what the media says and not taking a look at the other side of the story. (a fair and balanced look … not meaning fox but individual research) It is no wonder so many are brainwashed into thinking that the Military are murderers, and that there may have been a conspirocy from the inside on 9/11.
People are like sheep. They tend to follow the path of least resistance.
It’s not bias. The media isn’t in the business of reporting something when nothing is happening.
War is a compelling news story. Peacekeeping is not.
And when big things go right (as opposed to thing sgradually getting better), it’s not like the press doesn’t cover that too.
But they are covering it. We’ve heard at every Democrat debate how it is a complete and utter failure, a deathtrap, and a misadventure in the pursuit of sweet, sweet oil.
Wow, Rusty that story has been all over the place and that’s all you can point to? Of course good news isn’t exciting to you, the MSM or the dim party. But we don’t want wittle wusty to be bored so you make sure you get your sad, sob story about some illegal who is being foreclosed upon or some brittney story to make you a happy, happy wittle boy. Good news is no news for MSM’ers and the Dimocraptic party.
well, now that they don’t have Iraq to slam bush with they are going after the ‘its the economy stupid’ chant from clinton’s run. after all, there is nothing new under the sun with these libs.
also, 9-12 months ago the bond market rates and interest rates intercected in an arc, which any financial or economist knows is a bell weather to a recession. this intercect occurs very rarely and once it does it is always indicative of a recession. maybe a slight one or maybe a large one depending upon the ‘actual strength’ of the economy. if a dem takes over in november, you can bet that within the first few months this will occur again and within the first term of that dem president there will be a recession. what steps do you think they will take to prevent the recession? you guessed it, taxation and entitlements. a sure fire way to to destroy the economy. and guess what? we will be assured to have the office in 2012.
so yes, it is the economy stupid. and, they didn’t have that a year ago they only had iraq. now that iraq is settled and the economy is not as good as it was a year ago (even in if it is purely perception/speculation, this worked for Clinton). however, for a real hardcore recession unemployment has to be over 6%. which will happen if the dems start taxing and regulating. will be interesting to watch if a repbulican doesn’t get in office.
The MSM will be all over it now. There’s been a mass killing in a market.
The main news out of Iraq today:
The largest suicide bombing in Baghdad since the surge.
A Vice President (there are 3) announced he will veto (he has that power) the Sunni reconciliation bill. This puts the supposed political progress back to zero. In other words, the surge so far has failed its stated goal — to allow political progress.
In other recent news from Iraq, Turkey is bombing sites in northern Iraq it says are terrorist training camps. It seems that the Kurds who control northern Iraq allow Kurdish “freedom fighters” (aka terrorists) safe haven to conduct operations in eastern Turkey.
Lets just hope the “economic stimulus” doesn’t prove threatening to the patient!
lgm – you seem to be implying that it is somehow bad news that Turkey is bombing Northern Iraq. In fact I believe it is right to do so. What sovereign nation would tolerate the kind of behavior that Kurds have been up to in south-western Turkey for decades?
Kurds should not abuse the safe haven that Kurd-controlled northern Iraq has become by creating mischief over the border.
I meant “south-eastern” Sorry
LGM, you truly are a nasty and ugly person. You relish in bad news that comes out of Iraq. It’s painfully obvious whose side you’re on.
Maybe the fact the two females who detonated today in Iraq had Down’s Syndrome will give pause to the LGM’s of the world.
If this doesn’t wake up the left, nothing ever will.
Let me cut off that ugly LGM at the pass. I am a mother of a child with Down’s Syndrome and it is unfortunate that very often, they are easily led. However, before LGM, Rusty, et. al call for the death and destruction of these gentle souls, let’s remember there are plenty of people with “normal” IQs who have been suicide bombers as well. Just my two cents.
That’s extremely disingenuous Rusty, even for you. The only difference between the situation now and the situation three years ago is that our guys have the initiative and are clearly winning.
terrig said (#11):
You say the news is good, I say it isn’t. That makes me a bad person? Yes violence is down, which is good. It’s down to where it was in 2005. That does not mean real progress has been made.
JammieWearingFool said (#12):
Do you think liberals put them up to it? Do you think liberals enjoy bombing? No. The situation in Iraq today was created by Bush and the neocons and all their abettors on the right.
and might I remind you on this thread too.
http://enigma.dune.net/~eric/Do-not-feed-the-troll.PNG
The MSM’s are inbeded with nothing but bad news, they don’t know what to do with good news and what was said above it does’nt fit their agenda.
It doesn’t fit with the MSM agenda to report on progress in the war. So, it really doesn’t suprise me about the change in number of stories.
Wait, who am I calling for the destruction of? I hope you’re not suggesting that I think people with Down’s Syndrome should be destroyed. Because that would be crazy, off-topic, false, and rude.
The surge has helped decrease the amounts of casualties in Iraq. I’m an anti-war liberal and I can acknowledge that. Anyone who watches the news or reads the papers know that casualties are down. So to say the media hasn’t covered that angle is preposterous. It’s not a front page story because
“IRAQ: NOTHING HAPPENING”
does not make a headline that will sell a lot of papers.
And if one were to look past the casualty count, you would see that LGM is 100% right about the war’s progress. Although we’ve cut down on casualties, our political goals continue to fail. Preventing loss of life is incredibly important but judging the war by its body count is ridiculous. Our efforts in the Middle East continue to fail.
And terri, LGM hasn’t relished anything. I’d bet dollars to donuts that he’s just as upset about our lack of progress as any other American.
Yes LGM you are a truly nasty individual who wants nothing but bad news all the time. You are a most disgusting individual who it appears wishes only death and destruction on this country and those who serve it because it doesn’t fit into your point of view. Terrorists put them up to it and they’re probably “freedom fighters” in your twisted liberal, code pink view. I realize you cannot stand those who are not perfect (you are not perfect either, none of us are) but you no doubt rejoice in their destruction and their deeds as evidenced by your rejoicing at the news of the day.
You need help.
LGM and yourself are anti-war liberals who will not ever have anything nice to say unless casualties are up (you can say see we told you so). What the hell are your dim candidates saying besides cut and run.
It is painfully obvious that LGM relishes every bit of bad news out of Iraq as it would appear that all anti-war liberals tend to do quite frequently.
You just have to remember whose side the dinosaur media (and lgm, and rusty) are on – and it isn’t ours. They cheer (and cheerlead) bad news for America, and Iraq, and anywhere else they think can make America look bad because politically they think it makes them look good. They want large numbers of people killed in terrorist attacks – because they can blame Bush, or the US military, or conservatives, or anyone else keeping them from their rightful place of power.
Remember that for lgm and his ilk, freedom is for them, not us little people.
But that’s just it, there’s not “nothing happening”. Why do you suppose violence is down? You think all those terrorists and insurgents just shrugged and went home when the surge began? No. They were killed by the hundreds in combat operations that would be the subject of summer blockbusters if a Democrat was President.
All this report proves is how biased the MSM is when reporting on the war. Then they wonder why market share and their stock value continue to decline. It appears General Petraus and our troops are doing what is necessary to win this war despite the lefts best effort to sabotage their efforts. The one complaint I have heard from many veterans of this war is they wish the good news stories would come out too. Shame on the MSM for suppressing the truth about our men and women in uniform.
P.S.: Don’t feed the trolls folks.
Boomer, I promise I will stop feeding the trolls. I did say that on another page but didn’t follow my own advice. I am going downstairs now to watch the “Barefoot Contessa” with my little girl who loves that show.
Take care & Happy Friday
terrig, why don’t you sit a couple of plays out. You’re resorting to crazy personal attacks that don’t make sense. The idea that I celebrate when casualties are up is, to put it bluntly, stupid. I, just like many other Americans, have friends and family there and I just want everyone to be as safe as possible.
The surge cutting down on casualties is a story. It’s a story that’s been covered by probably every media outlet in the country. It’s not front-page material, but it’s there.
Bush’s Stupidly Unused Simple Ace-In-The-Hole Justification For Taking Usurping Iraq
You know, there’s a street-wise parallel (you first tear into the biggest bully of a hassling gang to earn all their respect even if you lose) to hitting Iraq and establishing a new presence/bases there in that region instead of only doing Afghanistan, which would only end up the only lamb surrounded by lions in that region. Just how long do you think the Afghans would last even they were stable and we pulled out like idealists wished? Hello, get street-wise! Street-wise like Bush was on this issue!
James Greenidge
Queens NY
James Felix
I agree … the reason that many (but not all) liberals and the MSM say “nothing is happening” fully illustrates that “good news” does not fit their bush and america bashing agenda …
If they cannot rail about “bad news”, “homicide bombings” and “troop casualty numbers” then there is “nothing happening” and “no news worth reporting” from Iraq … or Afghanistan for that matter …
We are building schools, electricity plants, sewer systems, water systems, roads, and more that are making a difference in the every day lives of the Iraqis …
The increased security by the Iraqi police and armed forces is bringing about an entrepreneural spirit among the people and more and more businesses are opening daily …
They now have many hundreds of independent newspapers … even the UN and the IMF are touting the way the economy is recovering and growing in Iraq … and the Iraq Stock Market is flourishing …
None of this gets reported as it should in the MSM here … but it sure doesn’t sound to me like “nothing is happening”
Desert Lover, you said more eloquently what I wanted to say. Rusty isn’t as bad as LGM but by vitrue of his “no news happening” stance shows it all. It’s always curious though how many anti-war libs always have friends, family, etc. in Iraq.
As for the major newspapers, and the nightly news-no one is watching and fewer still are reading it anymore. I am not at all a fan of the president anymore but I do believe in the GWOT and since I have to see hubby off again in May, I will continue to hope that violence goes down. LGM on the other hand is always gleeful when the news is bad and that’s the truth.
terrig
unfortunately there are millions of people in this country whose only source of news is the liberal MSM press and the alphabet newscasts …
many americans do not have cable and internet to get other views and still take as gospel truth what they hear and read daily …
To a large degree I blame the Republicans. They have let the Democrats have all the debating points and control the news. They just dont challenge statements like: “Bush Lied”, “Saddam did not have WMD”, “I will get the troups out of Iraq.” — not giving any thought to winning of course.
Mc Cain only tries to be smarter than all the Republicans, but refuses to challenge the democrats on these points.
There are more killings daily in places like Darfur,Kenya,Detroit,L.A., Houston than in Iraq.We need a surge here.Who reads and believes the MSM anyway.
You realize that Viet Nam was at least 10 times worse right? – and that is not an exaggeration.
Rusty, when you say that no political progress is being made in Iraq I assume that you mean centralized government political progress. Care to comment on a distinction?
Is there a more dangerous place than Laredo?
lgm said:
Of course many Kurds in northern Iraq assist the freedom fighters. And of course the PKK are terrorist. I don’t think these facts are a surprise to anyone except you.
I don’t understand the mindset that believes Iraq should be an overnight democracy; a success without trial. What criteria do they use to justify this type of thinking or argument? It certainly is not Japan, or Germany, because here it is nearly sixty-five years, and we’re still there!
People who think like this, that a democracy is built in the blink of an eye, should remember that democracies take time, energy and patience. They often cost money, requisite valuable resources that may be used elsewhere, and usually require violence before they are able to stand on their own. And, yes, they sometimes require the blood and treasury of other nations.
Whenever I hear people complain about Iraq and the slow rate of success we are experiencing there, I remember a story one of my philosophy professors told us about the time he was stationed in Germany in 1951. He was an army chaplain in Tennessee and was excited to be ordered to a base in Germany. He said he had heard how wonderful Germany was, that the people loved Americans, and that their nation was recovering nicely from the Nazis regime and was becoming prosperous again.
Upon arrival, he said nothing could be farther from the truth: the people were living in dire poverty and starvation was rampant; the men were jobless, hopeless and violently drunk; the women, mostly single mothers whose husbands had died in the war, were selling themselves and their children – both girls and boys – on street corners to buy food; and that they all blamed Americans for their condition and hated them violently! He said none of the U.S. military families stepped out of the view of an MP for fear of being attacked or shot – especially at night! He said one day a seven year old American boy, a son of one of the GI’s at the base, was beaten to death by some German youths when the boy stepped outside a fence to retrieve his ball. Professor Moore said he barely escaped being attacked himself by some drunken German men when, while speaking to some citizens on a street corner, he was assailed for his American accent.
My point with this little story is that no nation blithely, painlessly, and unerringly under goes a democratic metamorphosis in the span of four short years. It just doesn’t happen, especially, not for one that has been held in a time lock of oppression the way Iraq has been. Just like Japan and Germany before them, Iraq’s change will take time, energy, and patience – lots and lots of patience.
Let’s see, if a bunch of people / terrorists/ fantics/ cultists/ nuts, take it upon themselves to blow themselves up and take lots of innocents with them in NYC from time to time, the media will consider that as a measure of a civil war in NYC much less the whole nation?
James Greenidge
Queens NY
The good news is that 20 years ago the world was under the thumb of a liberal media monopoly. While they have become more shrill and transparently biased since the advent of alternative news sources like Fox and the internet, the stranglehold they once had is being decided broken. Now what we need to do is try to crush the remaining influence. And it’s easy to do. Just keep complaining. Loudly. And it’s the best kind of solution there is: it’s the simple solution that works.
To summarize this thread.
The main stream media has stopped complaining about the weather. You blast the MSM for failing to report the sunshine. I look out my window and see rain. You answer: “Why do you insist on rain (Boomer, DesertLover)? You love rain (terrig)! You’re making it rain (JHSII)! It’s raining even harder somewhere else (docflash, Mister P). Why do you expect it to stop raining so soon (DBNinKY)?”
No lgm, you have it wrong as usual. You are happy that the news of Iraq was bad today, you are happy when anything that is good is not reported and you are thrilled when multiple numbers of US personnel are killed or wounded to prove your sick point to yourself it’s all their own fault, it’s bush/hitler’s fault and the fault of anyone and everyone who voted for him.
Forgot to add-I would venture a guess you do your best to indoctrinate the young skulls full of mush into your liberal view and fail those who don’t goose step along with you. It’s nice to live in an ivory tower and not have to be out in the real world with those of us who live in it.
LGM your ignorance is showing. The Muslims and Jihadists will fight and fight on and on until they are defeated or obtain world dominion. They make threats everyday and every year and are waiting for the right time to full fill their terror. As long as we have appeasers running the gov’ts of the world they will increase their attacks. Muslims have been doing terrorists attacks since Munich in 1972. This was considerably a long time before Bush.
LGM and it tires me to see presidential candidates from both parties deny this threat. Someday soon I would say the attacks will hit Europe and North America because they see the apathy here. If they use down syndrome people to full fill their attacks they will use anything for their goals.