THE GOOD NEWS TIPPING POINT? (News Coverage on Iraq)

RealClearPolitics.com ^ | 10/10/03 | Tom Bevan

[NYC Republican]

It looks as if we've reached the point where we are finally starting to see the media reporting some of the good news coming out of Iraq. I'm not sure whether this is a product of the heated criticisms leveled at U.S. news organizations in recent weeks by everyone from pundits to members of Congress returning from Iraq, or whether it's that our progress there has reached the point where it's become simply undeniable. Perhaps it's a combination of the two.

In my opinion we're still nowhere near receiving truly balanced coverage of the situation in Iraq, but it's fair to recognize that we are starting to see examples of more balanced coverage in some of the major papers (See here and here).

Today's USAT offers another one:

Return of power brightens Iraqis Tensions dim as electricity output rises By César G. Soriano USA TODAY

BAGHDAD -- Power is back.

For the first time since Baghdad fell April 9, the capital city and most of the country have enjoyed four straight days without a significant outage.

Coalition officials are optimistic they can keep the lights on because sabotage and looting has dropped and electricity output is near prewar levels. Cooling temperatures have also helped.

''The power situation has not been this good since before the Kuwait war,'' says security guard Majid Abdul Reza, 27. Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

I don't know about you, but reading these few short paragraphs gives me an immediate boost of optimism and pride about what we're doing in Iraq. Can you imagine what public perceptions of Iraq would be if we were to get this sort of news on a regular basis instead of the constant parade of doom and gloom?

One of the unfortunate reasons we haven't seen more stories like this in the press over the last six months is that most news organizations don't view positive developments in Iraq to be "hard news" stories at all but instead see them as "cheerleading" for the Bush administration.

Like the New York Times, for example, which can spare only this tiny positive mention (and grudgingly at that) in their 963 word report on the six month anniversary of Saddam's fall:

The changes are visible. The streets are cleaner. Shops are flooded with goods pouring into Iraq now that the borders are open again. Those who have jobs — and tens of thousands are working for the Americans, directly or indirectly — are largely paid better than they were.

Now go take a quick look at the round up of our accomplishments in Iraq that Andrew Sullivan has put together. Night is day and day is night.

Millions of people around the country who continue to get their news from a few mainstream sources (a group of people whose numbers are thankfully decreasing) are not getting the full picture of what's going on in Iraq. They don't fully realize - and consequently don't feel a sense pride over - the things we're accomplishing in Iraq. That's a true shame. But maybe things are changing.

[NYC Republican]

Here's Andrew Sullivan's view (which RCP alludes to up above) of the situation in Iraq

http://www.andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish_inc=archives/2003_10_05_dish_archive.html#106575570328214387

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[Coop]

''The power situation has not been this good since before the Kuwait war,'' says security guard Majid Abdul Reza, 27. Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.

I just wanted to see that comment again.

Yes, things are indeed getting better concerning reporting on Iraq. Thanks to efforts of folks like R Cowgirl and others, thanks to returning Congressional reps - especially some Democrats - chastising the media, thanks to our brave soldiers returning home and waving the BS flag on the reporting. The Administration is also stepping up its PR efforts even more, so I imagine the good news will continue to reach more and more folks.

I forward the occasional positive article to various people - nice, open minded folks who turn out to be amazed at how well overall things are going over there. Why are they surprised? Because they don't go looking for the info. They rely on it to be force fed to them. I'm only happy to oblige. Better FReepers doing the feeding than Rather and friends.

[Terabitten]

Someone said it the day Baghdad fell, but I'll repeat it.

Welcome, Iraq, newest member of the free world.

[eureka!]

TS-Yep. Coop-keep spreading the truth...

[NYC Republican]

Someone said it the day Baghdad fell, but I'll repeat it. Welcome, Iraq, newest member of the free world.

Doesn't that sound great? It's just a start too... I can't believe that once Democracy takes a foothold here, that other countries in the region won't want the same thing- starting with Iran.

The good news is starting to come from all directions... Gallup just came out with new Poll #s - Bush went from 50-47 to 55-42, from positive 3 to positive 13! AND, he and Cheney are finally going on the defensive on Iraq... Should be interesting from this point on...

[Coop]

Coop-keep spreading the truth...

Oh, okay. But it means I'm never going to achieve my goal of being a newspaper editor. Or DNC chairman.

[Coop]

he and Cheney are finally going on the defensive on Iraq..

1) I'm sure you meant to say "offensive" vice "defensive"
2) The Administration has been countering its critics since Day One. I can't even count all the articles and events where various members from POTUS on down have done so. I will say it does seem they are stepping it up a notch, and I say good for it!

[Coop]

Flag!

[Fair Paul]

I was watching ABC's World News Tonight (I never watch it at home I was out having an adult beverage) and they showed the statue of Sadaam coming down six months ago and then showed that flowers were being planted in that same spot now. I couldn't believe I was watching ABC.

[slimer]

Some damage has already been done. Reporting good news now is not going to undo that damage. This good news reporting won't last very long, it's a CYA move in an attempt to hide their blatantly biased propaganda.

[EternalVigilance]

Excellent!

We owe it to our wonderful people on the ground over there, and to all Iraqis who love freedom, to get the truth out to the American people in spite of the media.

We also owe it to our President, who has stood so firmly for what is right.

Looking forward to seeing lots more of this in the weeks and months ahead.

[Coop]

Reporting good news now is not going to undo that damage.

Baloney. People will realize that they were being misled/lied to.

[eureka!]

LOL. I did see you fueling the AS v. Tom fires though. You've got potential....

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>The good news is starting to come from all directions... Gallup just came out with new Poll #s - Bush went from 50-47 to 55-42, from positive 3 to positive 13!

Bush has genuinely had it up to here!! He's coming out swinging, and not like Austin Powers, Baby!

Expect more glorious KO punches to come.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the post and the ping.

For the best summary re. the progress in Iraq, read the CPA briefing (which should have been covered by the mainstream American newsmedia). Amb. Bremer details the progress on the 6 month anniversary of the Liberation of Baghdad. (For Rita C. and the mainstream press, Amb. Bremer IS the primary news source re. reconstruction efforts in Iraq.)

Ping for progress, but this press won't give up this fight soon! If we fail in Iraq, the left-press thinks they win. Bowing down to those who torture babies is a price they seem willing to pay for a seat at the global power trough.

 Thanks, Tonkin!

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Coop]

LOL. I did see you fueling the AS v. Tom fires though. You've got potential....

Unfair!! I protest! I directed my comments at the supporters of Arnie and McC, not at the candidates themselves.

[eureka!]

My point. Go back to DU. ;^)

[Coop]

Oooh! Below the belt!

Eureka! gets monthly pedicures!!!

[Dog]

NYC......I'm looking for that new Bush poll can you tell me where you saw it at.

[slimer]

Baloney. People will realize that they were being misled/lied to.

Some will, some won't. All the negative press is undermining support for operations in Iraq.

Confidence in Bush Slips Further

[Dog]

I see you are causing trouble again.....:-)

LOL!

[Coop]

All the negative press is undermining support for operations in Iraq.

Absolutely it is. And the positive press is boosting support for operations in Iraq.

Gallup Poll - Bush Approval Up to 55%

[Coop]

See my last post. It's on Gallup's website.

[Semper Paratus]

most news organizations don't view positive developments in Iraq to be "hard news" stories

I remember the Kosovo conflict when feel good stories were ginned up daily.

Including the totally false stort that we wiped out Serbia's armored vehicles in Kosovo.

[Coop]

I see you are causing trouble again.....:-)

Again? Who is behind these blasphemous rumors?

[Dog]

Juan Williams and CeCe whatshername on Brit Humes panel were sheepish last night when asked why the press isn't reporting the good news out of Iraq..

Juan said something like ....good news doesn't sell.

[Coop]

good news doesn't sell.

That's right. Nobody raised an eyebrow when Jessica Lynch was rescued... or the nine coal miners emerged from the ground... or the soldier on leave won the lottery.

[There's millions of'em]

"Millions of people around the country who continue to get their news from a few mainstream sources (a group of people whose numbers are thankfully decreasing) are not getting the full picture of what's going on in Iraq. They don't fully realize - and consequently don't feel a sense pride over - the things we're accomplishing in Iraq. That's a true shame. But maybe things are changing.

Yea, right. The media has accomplished its iterim goal of bringing the President's approval rating down. Having proven that it can be done, but with a year until the election, there is simply nothing left to gain by continuing to hammer at the President on the Iraq situation.

Letting up on Iraq relieves the pressure on the media resulting from their biased coverage. It also allows the media to start crowing about how "fair" they are. It also provides an opportunity for some (who should really know better) to suggest that the media is "improving" or "finally getting it", or whatever.

The mainstream media will soon be up to their standard biased tricks. To suggest that they are "improving" is at best naive.

IOW, they are doing this, because it serves their interests. Sorta like the terrorists organizations calling for a cease fire to negotiate a truce, when they really plan to use the event to rearm or escape.

[slimer]

And the positive press is boosting support for operations in Iraq.

Not so. Listen to the video on the link you provided. Bush's overall approval rating is slightly up but his rating on handling of Foriegn Affairs has declined.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

I can't remember if it was Nightline or who last night that had a program on last night who in their description on cable emphasized the "mess" of Iraq after 6 months. I was SO ANGRY. But that I refused to watch the program.

It's all in how you portray it.

Thanks for posting this NYC.

FRegards all.

[Yardstick]

Great news about the power situation in Baghdad -- BIG news. Highly symbolic.

ABC radio mentioned this morning at the top-of-the-hour, but it was only as a footnote to a gloom n doom story on the car bomb that killed 8 Iraqis the other day. Given how often critics have cited the spotty power as evidence that life in Iraq is worse than it was before the invasion, it ought to have its own headline imo.

[jmaroneps37]

The reason we're seeing a change is because the lump under the rug has gotten so big that it is starting to burst. When it does, the lemmings will look into it and asy." Ah hey, the media was lying to us. I can not believe it!"
Its all coming down around their ears friends. This will be a great election cycle.

[bert]

Molly Henneberg of Fox news........ Putting a face on Good News Reporting from Iraq.

Henneberg earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, graduating summa cum laude.    

First class journalist with a terrific assignment reporting from Baghdad

[bert]

CC was speechless...... should I lie or spout the party line.

Juan, the failed Post reporter now at NPR had no such problem. the lie clicked in instantaneously.

[Coop]

Team her up with Jennifer Eccleston!

[boxerblues]

bout time people see what media had been hiding.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen. Imho, the press is reluctantly printing somewhat positive stories mainly because they can't cover up the truth from homecoming troops + over 20 million newly free Iraqis with new free speech (thanks to Pres. Bush and our awesome troops) and cellphones.

[Clemenza]

Thanks for the ping! I believe that Iraq will, thanks to American influence, be the most advanced nation in the Arab world, both politically and economically.

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Alia]

I celebrate keenly Iraq becoming the newest member of the free world. !

[PhilDragoo]

The biased leftist hate-America press is finally forced to concede it's all wet.

[GOPJ]

Tipping point bump

[windchime]

Bump!

[NYC Republican]

Thanks for the correction on 1. I did mean "offensive". On the 2nd point, I don't think they've been nearly aggressive enough - unti now.