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If we had the 'full story,' could we grasp it?

Mar-31-2005 » Filed Under: Homefront

We don't normally post opinion on this page, but I hope you will appreciate as I did, this article on the problem of reporting the facts about this war.

Link to Full Article
By Jeffrey Shaffer, Christian Science Monitor

PORTLAND, ORE. – Imagine a newspaper that is devoted exclusively to coverage of the situation in Iraq, and contains so much information about every aspect of the current conflict that no one would ever be able to accuse the management of editorial bias or selective presentation of the facts.

Since the moment coalition troops attacked Saddam Hussein's forces, one of the most persistent complaints of media critics is that mainstream news organizations in this country are not giving Americans the "full story" on what's happening as Iraq undergoes a historic regime change. Editors from coast to coast receive angry letters every day from readers who believe that negative reports from Iraq are being favored over positive ones, and vice versa. [...]

I'm not saying that mainstream news organizations are running a perfect system right now, but one fact media critics need to keep in mind is that editing information is not an evil idea. Most of us are doing it all the time in various aspects of our lives. [...]

Not all information I get is correct. That's why it's important to have a network of sources. Some are more reliable than others. The same holds true for my awareness of national and world events. I'm doing the best I can with the mainstream sources I've learned to trust.

It would be nice to have enough time and brainpower to absorb the daily output of every newspaper, blog, and broadcast commentator. Any media critic who can figure out a system for accomplishing that feat is welcome to call me. If I don't answer the phone, just leave a carefully edited message. The recording machine shuts down after 30 seconds. I like it that way.


Comments For "If we had the 'full story,' could we grasp it?":

This guy takes telling the "whole" story to the next extreme in his example. No doubt, his example of Iraq reporting would never work. But how about just maybe a story about why a soldier joined the army or a school opening? that's where the reporting becomes incomplete. they only cover the death and destruction of the war.

Posted by: Sminklemeyer | March 31, 2005 10:17 AM

Only in America. Guy gets paid to argue with himself. Richard Hanlin

Posted by: richard Hanlin | March 31, 2005 12:22 PM

Thirty seconds - what can anyone condense in 30 seconds?? Try just listening to the voices of those that have been there!!!!!

Posted by: patti kaszuba | March 31, 2005 1:42 PM

Amen to that post. Ask the guys and gals they will tell it like it is as they were there and done that. Please pray for peace.

Posted by: Florence | April 1, 2005 7:09 AM

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