White House, media in struggle for credibility

WASHINGTON - (KRT) - The botched Newsweek story that caused protests and rioting throughout the Muslim world put another big blot on the news media's already smudged reputation. But the fallout from the magazine's mistake highlighted another issue - the struggle for credibility between journalists and the White House.

Bush administration officials, whose case and planning for war with Iraq and treatment of prisoners have been questioned by the news media, seized on Newsweek's foul-up as another example of the media's failings, the better to impugn the credibility of all its critics.

Newsweek's discredited report that American interrogators in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, tormented captive Muslims by flushing a Quran down a toilet got sensationalized attention in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where at least 17 people died in rioting triggered by it.

Administration officials lined up to criticize the magazine once it became apparent that the story was falling apart. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called it "appalling." Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman called it "irresponsible." Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denounced it and added that "people need to be very careful about what they say."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/11670391.htm

SHOCK AND AWE

media--as if they have no role in how the world sees us. it blows my mind.

There are numerous eyewitnesses who have told the same story of the desecration of the Koran. This is another case (ala Rathergate) of this one particular source claiming to back off of his/her statements. What about all of the released detainees who have told similar tales? Geeze, it just keeps going downhill...

let the cannibilization begin

In an earlier post, I said that the MSM is nothing like the Marines; backing up each other no matter what, leaving none behind. But now I'm wondering if the W.H. keeps blaming the media for their own recklessness, will the MSM become the turncoats?

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

political appointee. It won't be long before all the networks are openly staffed by GOP operatives, just like they're doing with PBS.

Well, DUH!

There has been absolutely NO CREDIBILITY with the "White House" and the so-called "media" since the stolen election in November 2000! Every friggin' thing about this maladmini$tration is a fraud engineered by Karl Rove, et al.

This story would be funny if it weren't so tragic.

:-) :-( :cry:

As if the White House ever had any at all!!!! Or it's Lapdog media.

It's astonishing to me that they actually call out Newsweek and the press as the irresponsible media when they are the very people reporting lies and being irresponsible!

:rofl:

Neither one has any credibility to fight over. But the political
establishment may well regret trashing the state propaganda organs,
what little credibility they have depends on the hired cheerleading
section.

Condi, you hack, it's "appalling" that the US has created an atmosphere where it's entirely plausible that the Korans was indeed desecrated, and no denial in the world can wash that stink off.

THAT's appalling, you twit.

Which happens to be very implausible, if you know anything about the new neo-Pentagon's interrogation methods.

"people need to be very careful about what they say."

their cred is gone for good. For Chrissakes, they've taken over PBS and staffed it with GOP operatives. And anyone who thinks Williams, Sheiffer, Matthews, Blitzer, Woofwoof, and all the rest aren't "White House approved" must be living in a cave.

Sheesh. Good-bye and good riddance.

spewing their "warnings"

first fLIEscher and now Dumsfeld

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010926-5.html

MR. FLEISCHER: I'm aware of the press reports about what he said. I have not seen the actual transcript of the show itself. But assuming the press reports are right, it's a terrible thing to say, and it unfortunate. And that's why -- there was an earlier question about has the President said anything to people in his own party -- they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is.

and now Dumsfeld has the audacity to forget there is a Constitutional Right to Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denounced it and added that "people need to be very careful about what they say."

To these tyrants and morans, I say - shove off and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out!

:argh:

something that is gonna come out and they feed you a juicy tid-bit scoop... and you get burned being the scapegoat, in other words RATHERED. Not gonna be so cushy then.

Look back on how you allowed this, with your cover-up reporting and pandering to this administration...think hard, do you want to just be a mouthpiece for this cabal and pray they dont pick you to be RATHERED...or do your freaking job, and start printing the truth, get this rat-pack out of the People's house.

And yet the reaction, after all this time and all that has happened is about the same as when Ari said it.

We sure be raging in the streets!

Over this administration's overt attempt to micromanage the news? Will they finally independently report on the administration under the assumption that they are the SUBJECT, not the JOHN?

Not holding my breath.

There are few creditble news sources left in the US, thank god for the internet and the folks at the Daily Show.

The gig is UP! Even the Screw York Times is carrying water for Commander Coocoo Banana's group of nazis and crooks. Everyone is on to the media, sure people still watch it but they sure as hell don't trust the news like they used to. I can't wait for Clooney's movie about the real journalism done by people like Edward R. Murrow.

The Downing Street Memo is the last straw, the American media has lost all credibility.

The media hasn't been on our side since the days of Jefferson. From about 1870 on a majority of the media has been owned by the likes of Pulitzer, Peabody, Hearst, Murdoch, and finally global corporations. It is time America repeals the telecommunication act of 1996 and takes the media back for average Americans.

We are sick of the people's watchdog protecting the rich, the politicians, and the corporations. Drastically limiting ownship laws is the best step to take.

I want a media that tells the truth, that does their job.

Cheers, to a media for the people:toast:

Whether they realize it or not in Washington, they have tested the patience and provoked over 1 1/2 billion people; the muslims.

I believe this was the last straw. If Bush gets out of this, he should consider himself lucky.

Just 2 days ago, there was a terse statement from Saudi Arabia, where they said in no uncertain terms, that "they wanted the people responsible for this to be held accountable". Imagine. When does SA come out and make statements against their #1 drug addict, the US? Not often.

And that shows the danger of this situation. Fools. Clowns.

it up and roaring with laughter during Laura "Shecky" Bush's slapstick routine. I have to wonder how many of these Bozos
are still laughing now that one of their own is being smeared by
the very people they fawn and fall all over? Will these nitwits finally close ranks when dealing with the Monkey and the rest of his entourage or will it be business as usual?

Why isn't this on the front page of TIME magazine.

FREEDOM & DEMOCRACY GEORGE.W.BUSH STYLE !

Guarenteed the Rethuglican's would never win an election "Diabold or no Diabold" for DECADES!

The "Rest of the World" might even get to like American's again - maybe!

At least the administration has consistency on its side.

Well, it's officially "Rathered" now. Ug, Newsweek bad.

Regardless of the many other reports of such things, and regardless of the lack of proof of governmental thumb-screwing even as the names of the screwers are boldly trumpeted, the beat goes on.

We knuckled them under, and they're obviously hacks and operatives of darkness. Questioning us is evil. Why won't you kiss my signet ring? Is it the electrodes? Come, have some Victory Gin; it's good.

A struggle? Just let it go folks. They lost it a long time ago, problem is only a minority knows it. The paid for "journalists", the "imbeds" they know the sold their souls. They live with it every day. Better them than us.

So let us all have some fun. Lets take it back, shall we? I say kick em when they might be down, this might just be our last great chance. What do the rest of you think?

but, what they do.

in addition to pre-approved and scripted stories (suitable for copy-paste reporting) Scotty-dog will be passing out a list of pre-approved annonymous one-sources to reporters