|
IMHO, there are two issues here. The first involves the independence and objectivity of the press, while the second involves attempts to subvert it.
Even in the United States, a large portion of what you read in newspapers and magazines originates from either news releases or "canned features", i.e. stories written by PR people and then offered to the media. Editors print these with only minimal changes at an alarming rate, and even more journalists use them as primary source material for related stories. You would be surprised by how often the exact language from these releases and features makes it into the news. A study of the Wall Street Journal some years ago concluded that about 90% of the stories originated this way. So, even in our own country (where a free press is highly valued), independence and objectivity are not taken to mean that the journalists behind a story did all of their own research and did not rely on others for significant amounts of synthesis and insight.
These attempts by PR flaks to place stories and cast their clients in a beneficial light are not usually thought of as attempts to subvert or undermine the independence or objectivity of the press. It is recognized that, where people may disagree about the facts or conclusions surrounding a newsworthy item, people have the right to try and influence how a story is told. If this is done with integrity, and no money changes hands and the information conveyed is factual, then it is up to the press to act as a proper filter.
Based on what I have read so far about this case, a couple of things are clear. First, Iraq does not have a functioning free press. It was completely subverted under the rule of Saddam Hussein, and is only now taking its first tentative steps toward maturity. It is doing so in a wartime environment where the stakes are high for how information is disseminated and presented, and all parties involved are trying to influence that process. The strategies being used by our opponents do not have integrity. False information is being provided, threats and payments are being made. It is in this environment that we must try to ensure that our side of the story is told to the Iraqi people.
Our strategy does not revolve around providing false information to the press. What seems to be happening is that we are paying for the placement of canned features. The provision of these canned features is not, in and of itself, objectionable, but the payments which have changed hands are less than ideal. To a certain extent, they serve to subvert the very institutions of freedom which we are trying to build for the Iraqis.
But my question is this: Why is it wrong to subvert the press? Is it because the press is a holy institution deserving of our reverence and deference? No. Or is it because the press plays an essential role in the functioning of a democracy? I think this is the best reason, and would add that while a functioning democracy may very well take form despite the developmental challenges of an immature press, a free press will never be able to survive without a functioning democracy. If we must introduce or perpetuate some relatively minor objectionable practices along the way to this goal, then so be it, so long as we do so with right intent and for no longer than necessary. The payments we have made have introduced no new corruption to the system and will likely cease when our opponents are defeated and the Iraqi people find their own voice.
__________________
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither Thou goest." - Ecclesiastes 9:10
"If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so." - JRRT
|
Linear Mode
