What should the media’s role been in the war on terror?

Good thread finnman68.

The media certainly has the right to publish a story, but it should be balanced with the fallout that may occur after its released. If a editor of a US paper knows that a "hot" story will put US soldiers at a higher risk.....than maybe its not a good idea to publish it.

Is it really a good idea for a US media outlet to attack US soldiers in the middle of a war? No its not and only an deeply troubled person would tell you different.

Lets face it, the media has lost credibility because perhaps people are smart enough to see thru their anti-war propaganda.

Maximu§

Originally posted by finnman68
Should the media be reporting stories that they have no true evidence on...

No, if they don't have a valid source, then they shouldn't report the story as truth. Duh...

Should the reporters reporting these stories use moral judgment?

No. The truth is the truth and it's not up to the reporters to impose their moral judgments on reporting the news.

Or should they just go ahead and report these things on hearsay with out any credible facts to go on?

Again, nothing should be reported as truth that isn't.

Now, should true stories be reported even though there is some opinion that it will put someone at risk? Yes. If it's the truth.

It's the job of the media to report the truth, not to judge what's appropriate for public consumption...

I have been in the local TV news more than once and each time they edit the tape to make what they said to make what I said fit into there little story. I called them and they claim that they can edit what they say but can not change ours......... it's illegal. To bad that taking someones statements to a clam can be rearranged into a misleading lie.
Sorry to the GOOD reporters that are out there, You can put me on USA Today once more. I did not like the camera in my face that day but at lest You did not change things around that made me look bad or that I was telling a lie to get a story! As for the rest them It will be a cold day in Hell before I will let you get a story out of Me! Talk about a bad taste in your mouth...
So you ask what role should the media's be on the war on terror? I say for the most part they are a terror themselves!

[edit on 2-1-2006 by Mr101Hazardous]

The media should report the news regardless of who it makes look good or bad.

If US soldiers are abusing detainees, it should be reported. If insurgents are killing civilians, it should be reported.

The job of the news media is to report the news, and then let people make up their own minds about what it means.

A news media that only reports news that makes the powers that be look good is not a "free press", but a propaganda mill. A free press constitutes a vital check on the power of government, and in the absence of a free press democracy is meaningless - how are people supposed to make informed decisions about their government if they only know what the government lets them know?

There is a reason the Founders put the First Amendement first among the Bill of Rights.