'Devastating' Moyers Probe of Press and Iraq Coming Wednesday on PBS

[DeepModem Mom]

Editor&Publisher: 'Devastating' Moyers Probe of Press and Iraq Coming
By Greg Mitchell
Published: April 19, 2007

NEW YORK The most powerful indictment of the news media for falling down in its duties in the run-up to the war in Iraq will appear next Wednesday, a 90-minute PBS broadcast called “Buying the War,” which marks the return of “Bill Moyers Journal.” E&P was sent a preview DVD and a draft transcript for the program this week.

While much of the evidence of the media’s role as cheerleaders for the war presented here is not new, it is skillfully assembled, with many fresh quotes from interviews (with the likes of Tim Russert and Walter Pincus) along with numerous embarrassing examples of past statements by journalists and pundits that proved grossly misleading or wrong. Several prominent media figures, prodded by Moyers, admit the media failed miserably, though few take personal responsibility.

The war continues today, now in its fifth year, with the death toll for Americans and Iraqis rising again -- yet Moyers points out, “the press has yet to come to terms with its role in enabling the Bush Administration to go to war on false pretenses.”

Among the few heroes of this devastating film are reporters with the Knight Ridder/McClatchy bureau in D.C. Tragically late, Walter Isaacson, who headed CNN, observes, “The people at Knight Ridder were calling the colonels and the lieutenants and the people in the CIA and finding out, you know, that the intelligence is not very good. We should’ve all been doing that.”

At the close, Moyers mentions some of the chief proponents of the war who refused to speak to him for this program, including Thomas Friedman, Bill Kristol, Roger Ailes, Charles Krauthammer, Judith Miller, and William Safire.

But Dan Rather, the former CBS anchor, admits, “I don’t think there is any excuse for, you know, my performance and the performance of the press in general in the roll up to the war…We didn’t dig enough. And we shouldn’t have been fooled in this way.”...

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003574260

[Ilsa]

1. Thanks for the heads-up. Already emailed this out. Too bad

there are so many that would rather watch American Idol than learn more about what is happening in their own country.

[Locrian]

2. recommended

Wow. I love Moyers. This is a huge show - and hopefully a wake up for the media.

Ive always said that there are people easy to fool. And the press makes is so easy for the powers to be to control them. Kinda like religion in the old days.

[Lorien]

3. K & R n/t

[rodeodance]

4. you will be surprized how very NEW it is to some (but many do not WANT

to listen now either)

[RedEarth]

5. Kick......... I've been looking forward to this for weeks...........

Moyers is a true example of a journalist!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cyberpj]

6. The problem is, on PBS, he's preaching to the choir. Those who need to see it most, won't.

I also think these White House (and other) Press Dinners and parties should STOP!

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Now that sounds GREAT! Thanks for the heads up! Do we know what time it will be on?

I have to go write myself a note now. Thanks!:hi:

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I don't -- sorry. nt

[Qutzupalotl]

9. I heard it was 9PM.

But as always, check local PBS listings.

[krkaufman]

10. Thanks for the heads-up. n/t

(airing at 9pm 4/25 in Chicago (CDT), on WTTW, with a rebroadcast early Sunday morning, 4/29, at 3:30am.)

[Faygo Kid]

11. DUers cannot miss this - here is a description; it's "devastating"

'Devastating' Moyers Probe of Press and Iraq

NEW YORK (Commentary) The most powerful indictment of the news media for falling down in its duties in the run-up to the war in Iraq will appear next Wednesday, a 90-minute PBS broadcast called "Buying the War," which marks the return of "Bill Moyers Journal." E&P was sent a preview DVD and a draft transcript for the program this week. . . http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003574260

[gorbal]

12. I wasn't fooled and I don't have half the resources they do.

There is NO excuse for what they did, and all they can do to make up for it is recommiting to the truth. Thanks to Bill Moyes for doing this, even if those who should see it, most likeldy won't.

[HamdenRice]

13. Thomas Friedman is perhaps the stupidest man in the history of the universe

No wonder he wouldn't talk to Moyers. I did not realize how stupefying dumb Friedman is until I watched his very own show, Thomas Friendman Reports on the Times Discovery channel.

In one episode, he was talking about the difference between the European and American safety net and was interviewing a German couple about their universal health care, child care leave, 8 weeks vacation, etc. He was "interviewing" them, but actually berating them telling them that they must hate those benefits.

They just looked at him as though he were the stupidest man in the history of the universe, which actually he is.