January 28, 2007
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AP Latches on to Catchy New Phrase
Let
me preface this by saying please don't take it seriously. I honestly
don't know what U.S. policy should be in Iraq and how the media should
cover it, but I often wonder how much public opinion is swayed by
relentlessly negative media coverage and how similar coverage would
have affected past U.S. war efforts (such as WWII, which had much
higher casualties).In a brazen new propagandistic ploy,
the AP has developed a frequently recurring phrase in articles praising
the "insurgency" in Iraq for their pluckiness and ingenuity in blowing
up innocent people and/or killing soldiers of the occupying army.
Their term of choice for describing such admirable acts of bravery
performed by these freedom fighters is: brazen attack(s)™!
According to media watchdog Prescott E. Lampletter III, "Arf, Arf, Arf! Woof! (pant, pant) WOOF!!"Renowned German doggie linguist Gretta Pommer-Shepherd translates: "Brazen Attack™ is the bestest journalistic phrase ever since Chilling Threats and Messages™!* Give me a treat!"
However, arch-conservative Christian media critic Dexter Pinion calls the use of brazen attacks™ a
not-so-subtle way to encourage the enemy and undermine support for the
war effort at home. He even goes so far as to call the AP's overall
handling of war coverage "treason."AP spokesman L.T. Baraddur responds: "One man's 'treason' is another man's 'patriotism,' and a real
Christian should love his enemies. Dexter and his ilk flatter us if they think
anything we print has so much influence. We are merely reporting the
truth, as is our journalistic duty. The public has a right to know
about brazen attacks™! Who are they
to question our patriotism? I for one see nothing wrong with uplifting
the spirits of noble, peace-loving Iraqi Freedom fighters, who only
wish to hasten the day our meddling American kids go away. And
honestly, I'd rather bring our warmongering boys back home safely in
defeat than in body bags."* Some permutation of this phrase required by law to describe any statement released by Al-Qaeda
Comments (4)
when you say "please don't take it seriously," what exactly do you mean?
I guess I should have said "please don't take it TOO seriously". What I mean is that it is a caricature of two opposing viewpoints and I don't want anyone on either side to get offended.
I think the media gets lazy in using these pet phrases so often, but that's a minor issue.
I doubt that the constant negative reports are due to a calculated effort to undermine the U.S. in Iraq or sway opinion at home, but that may be an unintended result. I think they are done mainly because bad news sells.
However, speaking hypothetically--if an American journalist reporting on Iraq were to consciously dwell on the negative in his choice of which facts to present and how to present them, what could be his possible motivation? I don't think we can assume he is a treasonous anti-American. He would more likely see himself as a patriot who in the big picture feels that his negative reporting will in the end save U.S soldiers' lives by getting them pulled out of what he perceives as an unnecessary and dangerous conflict.
I think such a journalist would be misguided.
Whether or not one supports the war is a different issue too complicated for this silly blog.
After reading negative articles such as the one linked to, I must admit my first impression is to agree with "Dexter" (short of the 'treason' remark) so that's why the tone of my whole entry basically supports his position. But then I tell myself I'm over-reacting and there must be some other rational explanation for all the journalistic negativity (thus the explanation above). Obviously, bad things are happening, but should be expected since it is a war of sorts. There are probably a lot of positive things going unreported but they just don't make "good" news.
I agree that there are lots of positive things that have been done in Iraq, and I think there is a very serious war that we will either fight abroad or here at home, perhaps sadly on both fronts. My heart aches for those who go to any war and for the families that suffer loss of loved ones. It is too bad that good news doesn't sell, and this is true all the time. It is so cool to hear good stuff once in awhile.
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