Biased coverage increasing danger

BBC World Service and Global News director Richard Sambrook took US news networks to task for “wrapping themselves in the flag.” Speaking at Columbia University Oct. 26, Sambrook warned that perceived partisanship of the news media may be playing a part in exposing journalists to danger while covering trouble spots around the globe.

“Where once their neutrality was widely recognized and respected, today [journalists] are targeted and sought out, seen as high-profile representatives of their countries or cultures,” Sambrook said.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 35 journalists have been killed since the war began in Iraq, including one American. Also, 22 have been abducted, six being American.

US TV correspondents have again begun embedding with US military forces on particular stories. “It’s extremely dangerous, and the primary frustration is that it’s very difficult to report,” said ABC News senior VP for news Paul Slavin. “We are restricted by our own security people or by the US military or by our own good sense,” Slavin said. “I really don’t want to pull out of Baghdad, but if safety gets to be such an issue, we will do so.” (Variety)

Soldier ad refused

Operation Truth announced that attempts to purchase advertising time on five cable channels were rebuffed, not on legal grounds, but because of the group’s advocacy. Operation Truth is a national, non-partisan organization bringing to light the first-hand stories from those who served on the ground in Iraq, and holding public officials accountable for their decisions affecting our nation’s troops.

The ad, titled “Not There,” features Robert Acosta, a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, who lost part of his arm and use of his leg as a result of a grenade explosion in the war. The commercial clearly shows his injury. Operation Truth Executive Director, Paul Rieckhoff said, “Is the ad hard-hitting and graphic? Absolutely. But so is war. That’s just the truth, and these stations have a duty to allow their viewers to see the human cost of war, especially if a group is willing to pay for the air time.”

Stations refusing to allow airtime for the ad are History Channel , Comedy Central, TBS, VH-1 (via MTV Networks), and ESPN. (Operation Truth)