The war in Iraq has from the start drawn much debate in the media, east and west, with each giving their own versions. But while some variety is inevitable, it is scary to think of the serious consequences an interest driven media projections can have over its viewers. The result:
Journalism as we know it from text books is no longer what's practiced on the ground, inevitably, leading many unsuspecting viewers to believe everything their government or media tells them about the Middle East as beyond reproach. And if one is not able to sift the chaff from the wheat one might even risk a complete breakdown of common sense.
Viewing CNN and similar channels you are made to believe the opposite of what's on the ground and so goes the latest song:
- Iraq was a threat to US security.
- America's invasion of Iraq was done out of love for the Iraqi people (though everyone knows the same people were starved for a whole decade through cruel sanctions and repressions).
- Iraq was clamoring for an American type of democracy
- The Bush administration has Iraq's best interest at heart (and not cheap Iraqi oil)
- Iraqis are now happy and enjoying their freedom under occupation
- The insurgents are just a few isolated thugs and trouble makers
-I raqis are so divided that they have problem breathing the same air
- American bombs are not dropped to kill
And the list of how nice it is to be under the thumb of American bombs or machinations goes on.
The choice of words is also very interesting:
When the occupation forces terrorize the natives of a whole city (killing over 600 civilians and injuring hundreds in one city alone) these indiscriminate killings are being referred to as coalition "operations" done to help the Iraqis back on their feet.
Iraqi insurgents are "terrorists" "thugs" "Sunnis" "Shias". Almost never "Iraqis" fighting to rid themselves of uninvited foreign domination.
Interestingly, the same kind of language is used when reporting on the Palestine/Israel conflict. Palestinian freedom fighters like Hamas are "terrorists" whereas the illegal occupier's daily aggressions, assassinations, land grabbing and mass killings against Palestinian civilians are dubbed also as "operations" as though the mass killing of civilians on the part of the occupier (US/Israel) is somehow more honorable than the reactions of the victimized party.
Moreover, non US deaths are referred to as "collateral damage" giving the impression of some slight material damage rather than human loss.
Now coming back to the reality on the ground in Iraq, the so called "insurgents" are "Iraqis" fighting an illegal foreign occupation and this is what the Iraqi on the street would tell you.
Contrary to the promulgated lies, Iraq was never a threat to US security at anytime. It's a well known fact on the Arab street that the Bush Administration's real goal was to weaken the Arab nation (Sept. 11 had provided that excuse). The reasoning in Tel Aviv and Washington was that with the might of Iraq gone the zionist state would live happily ever after on Arab land. CNN would never share that news with you, at least not in a straight forward manner.
Less biased western sources might not be so narrow-minded and it is very easy for those who like to think for themselves to find things out for themselves. An interesting article I stumbled across reveals Bush was actually blackmailed by Sharon into invading Iraq, and it's only a click away. http://www.middleeastinfo.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=XForum&file=print&fid=1&tid=660
There are those who say the invasion of Iraq was simply a way forward in the "neoconservatives" Master plan for the Middle East, "about half of whom are Jewish and nearly all of whom have a long history of Israeli involvements."
And this confirms what Arabs and Muslims see on the ground. There is also the Iraqi Oil factor and the power that would add to American world dominance. This is not a secret and even CNN is unable to hide this fact from the public. http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntm32402.htm
With regards to democracy, says the common Iraqi, how can America even mention the word when she is the world's greatest DICTATOR and obstructer of peace and justice by virtue of its unjust Foreign Policies and Veto Power?
If by liberty, America means cheap Hollywood stories and fast food, well these are already rampant in the Middle East and there is no one denying those who have a special liking for these things. Bush had no business shedding human blood to force people whose history is much richer and older than that dangled by Washington.
On the other hand, if America is so democratic and the American administration has nothing to hide from their own voters, then why isn't the American media not showing the full picture of what American forces are really doing in Fallujah and other places? Why are they selective about what they show to the viewers? And why do they go on lying about ceasefires and casualties when people have been getting live coverage of F-16s and Apaches dropping bombs and missiles on civilian homes? Please note that the Al Jazeera reporting from Falluja had been under constant threat from the occupying forces for revealing to the world the unedited activities of the occupying forces. Now where is the much hyped American democracy, Iraqis ask, if it can't even allow normal reporters to do their job?
Interestingly in a press briefing General Kimmit had asked people to change their TV channels from Arabic ones. Here's a URL to what he said: http://www.antiwar.com/blog/index.php?id=P730
The only democracy that the American ruling elite are interested in in the Middle East, say Iraqis, is one that is supportive of perceived US interests and the past year had taught them first hand these are closely tied to that of Israeli.
For more info. on what's really going on on the ground, I have taken the opportunity to bring to you what others have to say on the issue:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A18841-2002Sep14¬Found=true
http://www.payvand.com/news/03/aug/1036.html
http://electroniciraq.net/news/649.shtml
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/may2003/iraq-m09.shtml
http://www.artel.co.yu/en/izbor/Krize_u_svetu/2003-02-14.html
http://www.gasandoil.com/goc/news/ntm32402.htm
http://www.4religious-right.info/middle_east2.htm
Copyright: Safi Abdi 2004, all rights reserved
Grady, Grady. As an AWAC veteran of the early ‘80s, I am shocked that there remains the odd person who believes the line of buffalo pucky that our government cronies feed us concerning foreign affairs. Iraqis I’ve met have suffered for over 40 years from U.S. installed dictatorship – they rightly don’t trust us to put in their next government. Instead, they want true democracy where they choose their leaders, not us.
Like Vietnam, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq are wars that should’ve never begun in countries we should’ve never entered. Thousands of victims are dead and tens of thousands are injured or maimed, without understanding why we Yanks are behaving like the British against whose Empire we once fought two wars. And that’s because the reasons for these wars were contrived by the Bush-Kerry Gang and their Demopublican information warfare teams, and beyond any logic but greed.
Right now U.S. soldiers from Ohio are forced by our government cronies to sacrifice their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq and Haiti to continue the 40 + year Anglo-American subjugation of their peoples.
Americans and our global neighbors cannot afford 4 more years of American-powered British Empire. Bring our troops home! See www.VeteransForPeace.org .
As I said before, any quasi-religious/political write is going to bring you much criticism & negative feedback, hope you can accept it in the spirit it was given...Peace is the ONLY Way, Ed & Rufuz
My dear, there's more to this issue than meets the eye and it's just too mind-boggling for people not given to war intrigues and political games.
For more info. on what's really going on on the ground, check out the links provided for your perusal.
your mind has been bought with lies...floria