Why did CNN air the insurgent sniper videos?
CNN is taking a lot of heat over their decision to show Iraqi guerillas sniping American soldiers. They opened a comments page after their explanation. Since I assume my comments will not get published, I published them here as well:
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Rather than debate whether you should have shown the video, I would rather see CNN directly approach the topic of whether there is merit in fighting this war.
The unstated position of CNN seems to be that either that the US is in the wrong or that both sides have equal weight in the morality of their positions and so it musn't take sides.
Show what you will, it's your network and that of your stockholders.
However, if my opinion counts, I ask that if you believe the former (that the US is wrong) then state this clearly. State also that CNN has chosen sides and that you intend to do what you can to bring about the defeat of the US.
However, if you believe that neither side has moral justification, then please do the following: Show everything, on both sides. Show the victims in the Israeli cafes, and Iraqi schools as well as the dead children forced to provide cover for Hezbollah and Hamas. Show the beheadings and bodies splattering as they hit the concrete after jumping from the Towers.
Show the tragedy on both sides and why both sides are fighting and what they expect the end state to look like if they win.
Explain the historical context.
If you are going to claim to be objective, then be objective. Do not pick and choose in such a way that gives comfort to any one side. At least in that sense, you can actually report the news instead of shaping it. I guarantee you many on both the left and right will be angry - and respect you - all at once.
I think your shareholders will also be happy in this case.
**
Rather than debate whether you should have shown the video, I would rather see CNN directly approach the topic of whether there is merit in fighting this war.
The unstated position of CNN seems to be that either that the US is in the wrong or that both sides have equal weight in the morality of their positions and so it musn't take sides.
Show what you will, it's your network and that of your stockholders.
However, if my opinion counts, I ask that if you believe the former (that the US is wrong) then state this clearly. State also that CNN has chosen sides and that you intend to do what you can to bring about the defeat of the US.
However, if you believe that neither side has moral justification, then please do the following: Show everything, on both sides. Show the victims in the Israeli cafes, and Iraqi schools as well as the dead children forced to provide cover for Hezbollah and Hamas. Show the beheadings and bodies splattering as they hit the concrete after jumping from the Towers.
Show the tragedy on both sides and why both sides are fighting and what they expect the end state to look like if they win.
Explain the historical context.
If you are going to claim to be objective, then be objective. Do not pick and choose in such a way that gives comfort to any one side. At least in that sense, you can actually report the news instead of shaping it. I guarantee you many on both the left and right will be angry - and respect you - all at once.
I think your shareholders will also be happy in this case.
posted by wennejunk at 9:41 PM
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