Look closely...

...but don't count on television news for truth and accuracy.

Glass photographic plates from 1910-1918, found at the flea market at Vanves, Paris.

In recent years, the mainstream media - particularly television news - in the US has veered dangerously off course. Gone is the objectivity that's drilled into our heads in journalism school; instead, money, power, influence and politics have corrupted the news agenda. And I'm not talking only about Fox "News," which is known for its right-wing slant. I'm referring to ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, as well as Fox.

The most recent example of abysmal reporting concerns the television news coverage of the Putlizer Prize. David Barstow of The New York Times deservedly won for his "tenacious reporting that revealed how some retired generals, working as radio and television analysts, had been co-opted by the Pentagon to make its case for the war in Iraq and how many of them also had undisclosed ties to companies that benefited from policies they defended," according to the Pulitzer Committee.

But, as Glenn Greenwald of Salon noted, the television networks "kept completely silent about Barstow's story, even though it sparked Congressional inquiries, vehement objections from the then-leading Democratic presidential candidates and allegations that the Pentagon program violated legal prohibitions on domestic propaganda programs. The Pentagon's secret collaboration with these "independent analysts" shaped multiple news stories from each of these outlets on a variety of critical topics. Most amazingly, many of them continue to employ as so-called "independent analysts" the very retired generals at the heart of Barstow's story, yet still refuse to inform their viewers about any part of this story."

American television networks simply eliminated Barstow's name from their Putlizer coverage or any direct reference to Barstow's honor. Obviously, to do so would shine a spotlight on their own cupability, as outlined in Barstow's investigation.

NBC's Brian Williams was one of the worst offenders,prompting Media Matters to call him out for his so-called "reporting" on the pervasive impact of the Pentagon's program on television news coverage. Greenwald called Williams' behavior "disgraceful on this issue, almost certainly due to the fact that some of the 'analysts' most directly implicated by Barstow's story are Williams' favored sources and friends."

CNN ran a lengthy story on the Pulitzer winners, conveniently omitting any mention of David Barstow's prize for uncovering corruption at the core of CNN's Iraq War coverage, as well as its reporting about other military-related matters.

Such disgraceful, shameful and unethical behaviour on the part of American television news! It seems many, many pronouncements of television reporters must be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism. If you want the true story, best to check in regularly with Media Matters, which does an excellent job of dissecting the mainstream media's reporting and separating fact from fiction.

Scroll down the page to read about Kelaya's story and how you can help.

Comments

[Di]

I'm reading through BBC reporter, John Simpson's series of books. I'm stunned by the outright manipulation of the public by both politician and media ... it's barefaced and John's someone who there and saw it all. I'm glad people are waking up to the fact that they're often fed lies and fabrications. It's time. Excellent post, Tara.

[Se'Lah]

Thanks for bringing Media Matters to my attention. I am a BBC fan. It's the most unbiased news programme in my humble opinion.

[ally bean]

I didn't know any of this. But must admit that I've always wondered about the motivations of any retired military analyst on tv news. Things like that always seem alittle hinky to me.

I'll be adding Media Matters to my daily reads from now on. Thx.

[A Cuban In London]

Hear, hear! And there are still those on these shores who would like to see a BBC subjected to the Murdoch empire. I share your concern, Tara. I have long been an admirer of US journalism (especially in the face of the farce that passes off as journalism in Cuba) and can only lament the decline in the reporting and commentary. I think tha in the wake ot the attack on the Twin Towers, there was a shift from objectivity to commercialism and the chase for ratings. I touched upon that in my review of Updike's novel, 'Terrorist'. I can only use the same word Naomi Klein used in her book 'No Logo' to describe the Starbucks phenomenon, 'clustering'. Clustering of news and reportage which very often prevents the real and truthful stories from seeing the light. Your article is well-timed and necessary. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

[MiddleAgedWomanBlogging]

I knew the news in the USA was skewed especially after I lived in Europe for a few years. I came home and people had not clue what was actually going on in this world. Shameful!

[stephanie]

Frustrating! thank you for helping us stay informed and for the post about Kelaya, off to read more about what Julie has started. Both of you have such huge hearts and a ready audience here.

x..x

[simon]

I could not agree with you more Tara- its disinformation and sensationalisim on a grand scale.

I believe very little of what I read and hear. Perfering to 'scan" across a variety of media to get the full issue. But its getting harder.

I have stopped reading Newspapers and watching CNN etc prefering to listen to radio... but even then its rubbish

Much of the reporting is comming from a left wing base and perspective (at least here in Australia)with our Prime minister developing close ties to China, ( borrowing 500 million a week from them) selling mines to them. Our deputy was in the communist party during her uni years....

Now I am not a "red under the beds" but I have noticed a real shift in the way things are reported....

[Cheryl de los Reyes Cruz]

Maddening! I am sometimes aghast at what is put on the nightly television news. Seeing news coverage while in other countries has definitely made me more aware of how limited our information is here in the states. Even NPR, I think, doesn't give a complete picture of what's really going on. I've recently discovered Slate and Arianna Huffington, but try to take what I read there with a grain of salt as well.

[Tara Bradford]

BBC is head and shoulders above CNN. In the past few years, CNN's coverage has gone from reasonable to tabloid-style. Very disappointing.

[julochka]

i watch both CNN and BBC regularly and often wonder what i'm missing. on both of them, actually tho' i'd like to think BBC does a better job. will definitely be checking out Media Matters!

[Christina]

This is sad! I am shaking my head, no. Thank you for this. I am going to hit the media matters link now.
xo