[Kyobanim]

Keeping in mind that I usually don't know what I'm talking about, this is just opinion:

Are they helping or hindering the effort as they are now?

Hindering, simply because they don't get the complete behind-the-sceens picture since they don't get classified info from the gvt. they can't present the govts' side. Too much conjecture. News organizations don't have the financial will to present a complete, unedited story that defines the entire picture, their existance depends on advertisers so they must sensationalize in order to rev up the viewership.

If they are hindering, what can be done?

Without breaking laws or changing the constitution, it's up to the American public to let them know that they need to change their way of doing things. I prefer to have the facts, I'm a big boy, I can make my own decisions based on facts.

Is the enemy better at message than we are?

So far, yes. That doesn't mean their message is effective, it's just getting out better. They have nothing to loose and everything to gain by making statements and doing what they are doing. If they convince one person to see things their way they've won a small battle.

News organizations would better serve the public if they would stop and think, check facts, weigh consequences of their actions, before reporting. Point in fact, Jeraldo Revera in Iraq. He just ran his mouth about where he was and what he was doing because he had a scoop. He didn't consider the effects of his actions on the troops he was there to report on or even what the effect could be on the entire operation. There's almost always a story that is rushed to broadcast for the scoop factor and later is found to be unfactual.