Negative U.S. Media Linked To Increased Insurgent Attacks (Harvard U: MSM Is Emboldening Insurgents

Washington Times ^ | March 24, 2008 | Shawn Waterman

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Researchers at Harvard say that publicly voiced doubts about the U.S. occupation of Iraq have a "measureable effect" on insurgents there.

Periods of intense news media coverage in the United States of criticism about the war, or of polling about public opinions on the conflict, are followed by a small but quantifiable increases in the number of attacks on civilians and U.S. forces in Iraq...

The increase in attacks is more pronounced in areas of Iraq that have better access to international news media, the authors conclude in a report titled "Is There an 'Emboldenment' Effect? Evidence from the Insurgency in Iraq."

... "We find that in periods immediately after a spike in anti-resolve statements, the level of insurgent attacks increases," says the study...

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Thanks for providing the link. Saved me from having to provide it.

[adorno]

I think a more accurate and less politically headline would’ve been “Negative U.S. Media Killing Our Troops in Iraq”.

[kittymyrib]

So Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have caused the deaths of some of the 4,000 soldiers killed in Iraq by their pronouncements of defeat and surrender. Instead of giddily celebrating this milestone, the msm should be questioning the patriotism of Democrats in and out of Washington D C who have behaved like traitors during these five years of war.

[The Forgotten Man]

This is or has been unknown to those of us here. What is truly unfortunate is the effect of the msm on the ill informed electorate who believe the reprobates in the msm.

The msm will dismiss this report and through their denial they will continue to enable the blame America first crowds. Thank GOD for the new media where the work of the media is done properly....

[xzins]

I wouldn’t necessarily say they are “emboldening” insurgents.

I would be inclined to say: “signaling” to insurgents.

[homeguard]

It just seems like the MSM is completely out of control. At what point do Americans stand up to the MSM and how do they do it???

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

They won’t suceed in dismissing Harvard.

Anyway, that would be a worthless diversionary tactic on their part.

They must be pressed to deal with the issues at hand - which Harvard raises.

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

In the end, though, the MSM/Democrat’s actions & negative drumbeat are clearly anti-US military.

[Rome2000]

I imagine they know they are emboldening insurgents in Iraq.

Its up to the White House to do something about it.

Absolutely unacceptable to let the MSM and democrat enemy at home run amok unmolested, to sap the nations morale and embolden the enemy.

I blame Bush.

Lincoln jailed people for far less.

[xzins]

I agree with you 100%!

[homeguard]

+1 Its way past due for action......

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Dems and the MSM have pretty much blamed Bush for just about everything.

[Laissez-faire capitalist]

Thanks.

[ArrogantBustard]

Telling us nothing new ...

That Lying Bastard Walter Cronkite handed "victory" to the Viet Cong 40 years ago, and the Lying Bastard MSM have been trying desperately to recapture his "glory" ever since.

[Rome2000]

Freedom of the press doesn't mean working to actively defeat the US war effort.

A few people need to be made examples of.

Some of the perverted SOB's on Capitol Hill too.

[phs3]

Ummm.... Duh!!
Why do they think we get so angry about the negative coverage

[homeguard]

Yep.

[zimfam007]

When you see the code pink freakos, the Cindy Sheehan’s,
and the anti-war ‘sediti’crats....you can tell them that
the blood of American soldiers and innocent Afghanis/Iraqis
are on their hands.....and NO amount of Obama ‘holy’ water
will wash it away.........

[God luvs America]

bump

[denydenydeny]

I never had any doubt; I have always said that the hysterical Abu Ghraib coverage killed at least a thousand Americans and untold numbers of Iraqis. I’m just amazed that anyplace like Harvard went ahead with this study.

Of course, I note that no other media outlets have reported this study, and I’m not holding my breath.