Some US troops question Woodruff coverage

[gilliam]

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) – The American media stood up and took notice when an improvised explosive device grievously injured an ABC News crew Sunday.In Iraq, and throughout the military, there is sympathy and concern for anchor Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt, but there is also this question:

Why do you think this is such a huge story?’ wrote an officer stationed in Baqubah, Iraq, Monday via e-mail. 'Its a bit stunning to us over here how absolutely dominant the story is on every network and front page. I mean, youd think we lost the entire 1st Marine Division or something.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.monstersandcritics.com …

 

[rlg94086]

I noted the same thing to my wife while watching some of the coverage. They showed his family, interviewed people who know him, that all spoke about what a great guy he is/was…it sounded like he had died. Meanwhile, when someone actually does die in a roadside bomb, they may or may not even be mentioned in the news - just another number.

This wasn’t lost on one of my favorite MSM blogs (he mentions Kos, becuase he is responding to a left-wing blogger who mentioned Woodruff):
opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110007901

Don’t get us wrong: We view war-zone reporting as a heroic endeavor, and we were acquainted with one journalist, Michael Kelly, who was killed in Iraq, three years ago. But there is something self-absorbed almost to the point of solipsism about journalists insisting that their adversity is the most important thing about the war.

It’s worth keeping a few things in perspective: Like soldiers, journalists choose their profession voluntarily. Unlike soldiers, journalists do not have to go to Iraq: They are free to seek other assignments or other jobs. Like many soldiers, many journalists choose to return to Iraq despite the dangers out of a sense of duty. But if journalists don’t cut and run, why do they expect the leaders of the military to do so?

As for Kos, it’s a measure of just how far gone the Angry Left is that he–who two years ago responded to the murders of four American civilians by saying “Screw 'em”–is now the voice of reason on his own Web site.

 

[bapcathluth]

Excuse me, but a couple of years ago when Ted Koppel’s Night Line devoted an entire evening to a roll-call of dead soldiers, complete with their photographs, many posters on CAF and many right-wing pundits criticized the “MSM” for trying to make the president look bad.

It just goes to show that the media can’t please everybody.

Furthermore, Woodruff was a very well-known reporter. Unknown newspaper reporters who are killed don’t get the coverage either. When that great football player was killed in Afghanistan, he also got more coverage. Sorry to say, but the famous get more attention.

 

[Lischou]

Excuse me, but a couple of years ago when Ted Koppel’s Night Line devoted an entire evening to a roll-call of dead soldiers, complete with their photographs, many posters on CAF and many right-wing pundits criticized the “MSM” for trying to make the president look bad.

That was a blatant political move. The “main-stream media” was, at that time, using the deaths of soldiers/marines to push the notion that the war was unjust; not because they were truely concerned for the families. It came off cold.

Furthermore, Woodruff was a very well-known reporter. Unknown newspaper reporters who are killed don’t get the coverage either. When that great football player was killed in Afghanistan, he also got more coverage. Sorry to say, but the famous get more attention.

Great point! You may have something there. My husband, who is a Marine and has spent time in Iraq, said that another reason for them to be emphasizing Woodruff so much is because this time it hit closer to home for them. They don’t personally know all the others who have been injured or died, with him they did.

Lisa

 

[bapcathluth]

Lischou:

That was a blatant political move. The “main-stream media” was, at that time, using the deaths of soldiers/marines to push the notion that the war was unjust; not because they were truely concerned for the families. It came off cold.

Lisa

I have to disagree that it was blatantly political. I watched that night and thought it was very moving. There was no talk of politics at all on that evening–just reverence for the dead. I watch the Newshour on PBS and they still show American soldiers who were killed each week. I also think that CBS does it and gives a small description of the kind of person the soldier was, what his interests were, what family he leaves behind.

Most Americans are not affected at all by this war. The least we can do is aknowledge when somebody gives his or her life fighting. I think it is profoundly disrespectful to just quote numbers and not acknowledge that these people were fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.

 

[Lischou]

I have to disagree that it was blatantly political. I watched that night and thought it was very moving. There was no talk of politics at all on that evening–just reverence for the dead. I watch the Newshour on PBS and they still show American soldiers who were killed each week. I also think that CBS does it and gives a small description of the kind of person the soldier was, what his interests were, what family he leaves behind.

It’s their motives that disturb me; the entire context of their other political views which makes their “compassion” seem disingenuious. However, I can’t read their hearts…I do hope that you are right. It just all comes off a little sour to the majority of us who are involved personally (and note, I did not say all; I am aware that there are those within the military - though they are few - who don’t see things this way).

Most Americans are not affected at all by this war. The least we can do is aknowledge when somebody gives his or her life fighting. I think it is profoundly disrespectful to just quote numbers and not acknowledge that these people were fathers, mothers, sons and daughters

Agreed.

Lisa

 

[rlg94086]

The point is he didn’t get killed. Don’t you think they overdid the coverage a bit? It really looked like he had died. Personally, I watch far too much TV and I had never heard of him until these stories, so I think the “well-known” claim is debatable.

bapcathluth:

Excuse me, but a couple of years ago when Ted Koppel’s Night Line devoted an entire evening to a roll-call of dead soldiers, complete with their photographs, many posters on CAF and many right-wing pundits criticized the “MSM” for trying to make the president look bad.

It just goes to show that the media can’t please everybody.

Furthermore, Woodruff was a very well-known reporter. Unknown newspaper reporters who are killed don’t get the coverage either. When that great football player was killed in Afghanistan, he also got more coverage. Sorry to say, but the famous get more attention.

 

[bapcathluth]

When I got pregnant, I didn’t see photos of me on People magazine, but I see hundreds of photos of Angelina Jolie with her “bump.” People are interested in celebrities, so the media caters to that.

I agree that thousands of soldiers have been killed and more wounded, but it is impossible to read all of their stories. I like it that CBS has a segment at least once a week where they show a picture of a soldier who was killed and talk about who he or she was. They obviously interview the family for these segments, and they are very moving.

 

[Fitz]

bapcathluth:

I agree that thousands of soldiers have been killed and more wounded, but it is impossible to read all of their stories. I like it that CBS has a segment at least once a week where they show a picture of a soldier who was killed and talk about who he or she was. They obviously interview the family for these segments, and they are very moving.

I think we should all know more about the soldiers that died, and every death should be talked about. Perhaps then, a person that is reporting and survives would not be blown out of proportion. I am sure that Woodruff’s family will never be the same again. He may need physical therapy and his job may not return as normal. Normal will be different for them. I hope he can have a complete recovery.
I did not know him either before this happened. I don’t wach MSM for more than a few minutes at a time. I think they do a very poor slanted job, unless it is a topic they decide they want to do.