Added to info re Karzai, he recently slammed the media and issued directives. This is to counter their glorifying giving the Taliban and conferring equal footing with those fighting for freedom. Of course, he's is being slammed by the lib organizations for squelching freedom of speech:
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Also on Thursday, the Afghan president defended guidelines issued to news groups about reporting on the Taliban insurgency, saying some media were "legitimising terrorism" in their articles.
He said he would guarantee media freedom but his government was concerned about how some of the media were reporting on the insurgency by the Taliban movement.
Media guidelines
Karzai said: "Part of the media especially the electronic media are ... almost legitimising some acts of terrorism. That's what we're concerned about. That's what we are trying to correct."
The document containing the guidelines was sent to Afghan editors on Monday, prompting an outcry from rights groups concerned about press freedom as Afghanistan tries to establish itself as a democracy.
It says "terrorist commanders" should not be interviewed or the Nato and US-led forces criticised.
"These directives are an insult to the hard work and personal sacrifice of Afghan journalists who try to get the truth out to the public"
Sami Zarifi, Human Rights Watch
Stories of terror activities should not lead news bulletins and "enemy" statements which portray the government as un-Islamic should not be covered or the security forces portrayed as weak.
Some television stations have broadcast interviews with alleged Taliban officials who speak against Karzai's government and the thousands of international soldiers based in Afghanistan to hunt down Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.
Other media prominently carry Taliban claims about attacks that turn out to be false or exaggerated.
The hand-delivered 24-point list was anonymous but understood to have been issued by the intelligence service which had summoned editors to a meeting on the topic last week.
'An insult'
New York-based Human Rights Watch criticised the notice, saying it should be immediately revoked by the government.
Sam Zarifi, the group's Asia research director, said: "The intelligence services restrictions are a blatant intrusion on the freedom of Afghanistan's fledgling media.
"These directives are an insult to the hard work and personal sacrifice of Afghan journalists who try to get the truth out to the public."
The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission said it was concerned but added that it had reservations about some of the media's reporting.
That sounds like President Bush and President Karzai need to talk...they have a LOT in common, re: having to fight the press, as well as the terrorists.
It's pronounced (at least by me... I've never heard it said out loud) "fist pock" with a minor click between the syllables. It's from Larry Niven's early novel Protector. From the novel: "A hiss and snap of beak: Phssth-pok." Niven actually spells it Phssthpok, but that just seemed a bit much for me. <g>
I had not seen the material on Karzai complaining about the media coverage. All I heard was his complaints that could be used as attacks on us and the British. Why am I not surprised?
Great catch. I wonder if Wolfie will steer clear of this topic or tie it in with the controversy over the NY Slimes treasonous behavior?
The msm/drive-bys have really shown their true colors during this war, their relationship with many of us will never ever be the same.