If you don’t think the media are in on this current war, consider the notion of “embedded reporters.” Who, exactly, embedded these people? Why were they already in Baghdad—ostensibly the enemy city we were about to invade? Can you think of any embedded reporters from previous wars? I can: her name was Tokyo Rose. She was ensconced, I mean, embedded in Japan—the country we were going to invade.
Moreover, for purposes of national security during World War II, which was a real war, officially declared by Congress, there were press blackouts. There was simply no reporting whatsoever. When asked, after Gulf War I, where he had gotten his information about US troop movements, Saddam Hussein had replied, “CNN.”12 As in the Valerie Plame case, where an American operative was outed during a time of (alleged) war, no one was charged, much lest convicted, of treason. But how could anyone be charged? Another lesson was learned from Vietnam: war is a media event.
But the media, just like the US President, are held responsible by the American people for the well-being and security of the nation. They, too, are seen as being required to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Unlike the President, who publicly swears to do this, the promise made by the media is a tacit one. If two reporters and one newspaper can take down a president that betrayed the nation, how many citizens will it take to overthrow a media system that has betrayed the nation—not once or twice, but often and continually?
When will we finally see Mediagate?
12Strange, too, is the fact that when President Bush addressed the American people at the start of this Gulf War on national TV, he was very much aware that he was also addressing the Iraqi people. For one thing, he advised them not to burn their oil wells, as they would be rescued soon.