CNN's Line of Fire: CNN’s Skeleton and Eason Jordan’s Davos Gossip

The Washington Times ^ | February 4, 2005 | Editorial

[quidnunc]

CNN’s Skeleton and Eason Jordan’s Davos Gossip

I’m waiting for CNN to release the actual audio or a full-written transcript of Eason Jordan’s remarks in Davos, Switzerland. That will clarify and — to pinch CNN’s word — properly “contextualize” Jordan’s alleged anti-US slur. We do know this: Jordan’s statement — whether chitchat or slander — was made before an international audience that included a score of Third World elites. These are the ruling class fat cats who have a big say back home about who gets to do what. They are the movers and shakers who have power to influence industrial concessions and — here’s the kicker in this analysis — with a wink and a nod can grant a news organization access to people and places. These elites are themselves potential news sources, bigshots who can add hardhitting soundbites.

Hugh Hewitt has a long post rich with links to discussion about Jordan’s gossip in Davos. The newsdissector.org site has an interesting slant. The CaptainsQuarters blog run by Ed Morrissey adds some historical depth. This post from powerline has an email passed on from Jordan which — as I read it — confuses rather than clarifies. (But go read it — that’s the fair thing to do.)

There are many reasons for CNN to make a full, complete disclosure, and they go beyond mere clarity of expression. I think this is the biggest: If Jordan did say he believes the US military “targeted” journalists (implying physical targeting) then we need to hear his evidence — premeditated murder is more than political scandal, it’s crime. This would be a bigger crime than Abu Ghraib.

There’s a second reason: CNN has a corporate skeleton rattling in its closet, and the skeleton involves Jordan. It also involves a deal with a local ruling class — in this case, Saddam Hussein and his pals.

This is no allegation. Jordan wrote an essay for the NY Times admitting his network regularly withheld information about Saddam’s evil regime — because that’s what it took to keep the bureau open. (Here’s a link to the abstract of Jordans’ The News We Kept to Ourselves which ran in the NY Times on April 11, 2003. The abstract doesn’t do justice to the depravity of Jordan’s op-ed.)

-snip-

(Austin Bay in Austin Bay Blog, January 3, 2004)
To Read This Article Click Here

[pissant]

Is this the same clown who prostrated himself before Saddam and Uday? All in order that CNN could continue to air propaganda from Baghdad Bob?

[blanknoone]

Was this in today's print edition? Will it be in tomorrow's?

As long as it is only online, it will only reach those who already know. Once it breaks out of cyberspace, the story will have to be covered by the rest of the media, even if it is one column inch on page Q34.

[bruin66]

It'll be reported tomorrow, guaranteeing minimum readers. It will then disappear on Monday.

[digger48]

How many of our soldiers have died protecting these interlopers?

How many innocents civilians and soldiers have paid the ultimate price for "sensational headlines"?

How many "Geraldos'" have gone undetected?

Let's have some proof, before spewing accusations.

[cajungirl]

I think this Dude ought to go to Iraq and see what more he can dig up,,never mind, I shoujldn't be saying stuff like this or I could get "counseled" just like one of our generals.

[Nuzcruizer]

I think a report on just how widespread corruption among journalists is and how they help set the stage in order to fabricate "news" snuff films, use media deceive the public in order to advance their political agenda would be a better thing to study. In fact, maybe a study could be done, taking all the news reported in 2004, and seeing how many of these reports actually contained "truth".

[mark502inf]

Is this the same clown who prostrated himself before Saddam and Uday? All in order that CNN could continue to air propaganda from Baghdad Bob?

Yes it is. And did the same with Fidel to ensure continued coverage of the Caribbean people's paradise.

[Nuzcruizer]

I should include a handy "tip" to western journalists who choose to cover action in a war zone.

tip- NEVER stand between a howitzer and it's target.

[Republican Red]

I can't fugure out why Drudge isn't running with this story. He seems to love stories that put CNN in a bad light.

I've been sending him blog info for days.

Maybe he's waiting for Sunday before his radio show to highlight it with the blue lights.

[mammer]

We need to email these clowns everyday for text several months. I wonder if Fox has even reported this? If not we need to hammer them as well. I'm sick of this kind of info being held hostage by the MSM.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Former Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein:

Eason is my main bro-ham! Stop playa hatin', ya hear?(!)

[cookcounty]

Amazing that the Lame Stream Press Totally ignores this. It shows how corrupt the OldBoy Liberal Mutual Protection Club is.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

CNN, like its counterpart in the print media, the New York Times, prostitutes its services to the highest authority.

They shirk the oft-stated mission of the fourth estate, i.e., speaking "truth to power", in favor of cutting deals with petty despots who'll be able to increase their company's profit margin.

Eason Jordan should be ashamed of himself.

[lilylangtree]

Another Dan Blather.

[R. Scott]

Too many believe that having the word “Press” on their jacket will protect them.

[MeekOneGOP]

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during a discussion on media and democracy, Mr. Jordan apparently told the audience that "he knew of 12 journalists who had not only been killed by U.S. troops in Iraq, but they had in fact been targeted," according to a report on the forum's Web site (www.forumblog.org).

< snip >

In any event, it's an assertion Mr. Jordan has made before. In November, as reported in the London Guardian, Mr. Jordan said, "The reality is that at least 10 journalists have been killed by the U.S. military, and according to reports I believe to be true journalists have been arrested and tortured by U.S. forces." This is very serious stuff, if true. Yet aside from Mr. Jordan's occasional comments, there's no evidence to support it. Mr. Jordan's almost immediate backpedaling seems to confirm this. In a statement to blogger Carol Platt Liebau, Mr. Jordan said, "To be clear, I do not believe the U.S. military is trying to kill journalists in Iraq. I said so during the forum panel discussion. But, nonetheless, the U.S. military has killed several journalists in Iraq in cases of mistaken identity."…

Good grief! What a jerk to accuse U.S. Troops of that.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Precisely.

[MeekOneGOP]

bump!

[JoeGar]

This is a true story: ;-)

News anchors Dan Rather and Peter Jennings, NPR Reporter Cokie Roberts, along with a U.S. Marine assigned to protect them, were hiking through the Iraq desert one day when they were captured by Iraqis.

They were tied up, led to a village, and brought before the leader. The leader said, "I am familiar with your western custom of granting the condemned a last wish; so, before we kill and dismember you, do you have any last requests?"

Dan Rather said, "Well, I'm a Texan; so I'd like one last bowlful of hot spicy chili."

The leader nodded to an underling who left and returned with the chili. Rather ate it all and said, "Now I can die content."

Peter Jennings said, "I am Canadian, so I'd like to hear the song 'O Canada' one last time."

The leader nodded to a terrorist who had studied the Western world and knew the music. He returned with some rag-tag musicians and played the anthem. Jennings sighed and declared he could now die peacefully.

Cokie Roberts said, "I'm a reporter to the end. I want to take out my tape recorder and describe the scene here and what's about to happen. Maybe someday someone will hear it and know that I was on the job until the end."

The leader directed an aide to hand over the tape recorder and Roberts dictated some comments. She then said, "Now I can die happy.

The leader turned and said, "And now, Mr. U.S. Marine, what is your final wish?"

"Kick me in the ass," said the Marine.

"What?" asked the leader. "Will you mock us in your last hour?"

"No, I'm not kidding. I want you to kick me in the ass," insisted the Marine. So the leader shoved him into the open, and kicked him in the ass.

The Marine went sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled a 9mm pistol from inside his cammies, and shot the leader dead. In the resulting confusion, he leapt to his knapsack, pulled out his M4 carbine, and sprayed the Iraqis with gunfire. In a flash, all the Iraqis were either dead or fleeing for their lives.

As the Marine was untying Rather, Jennings, and Roberts, they asked him, “Why didn't you just shoot them? Why did you ask them to kick you in the ass?"

"What," replied the Marine, "and have you three assholes call me the aggressor?"