Media Criticism

The title seems draconian but the promise by President Pervez Musharraf that he will relinquish his military uniform (again) and open the presidency to the democratic process must be fulfilled. Coverage of the Pakistani situation has been rampant in the mainstream media as well as alternative media sources as this ambivalent ally in the war on terror turns to hell in a hand basket. We must look past the promise of democracy in the midst of chaos to begin earnest steps toward realizing democracy in Pakistan.

I don’t think regular readers will be surprised by my views on the war on terror. A war against an idea, a tool of oppression and anarchy is foolhardy. The only thing more foolish than fighting terror is using feckless thugs, authoritarians and incompetent bureaucrats as our allies. In the same way that America got into bed with all manner of politician to fight Communism in the Cold War, America is allying itself with anyone as long as they say the right things about terrorism.

The Bush Administration may be content by pushing Musharraf in November 2007 that may never happen in January 2008 but Americans concerned with foreign policy want more than that. I think that the media coverage of riots, the house arrest of political reformers like Benazir Bhutto and the pressure applied by the West on Pakistan has been outstanding. Media pressure will only do so much against a flailing dictator like Musharraf and Americans need to push their representatives for action.

We need to mobilize an international coalition with the assistance of India and the European Union to enforce Musharraf’s promised steps. The occasion of stabilizing Pakistan may offer America an opportunity to offer an olive branch to Russia. It is important to utilize the United Nations General Assembly to promote the idea of peace keepers and international election observers in Pakistan to make sure that every vote is counted and every ballot has more than the name Musharraf available.

Above all else, voters throughout the United States need to press the candidates in both parties to come out tough for anything but a legitimately elected government in Pakistan. If America is going to be an interventionist power, we must work within the bounds of international politics and ally ourselves with nations that support democratically elected governments. We cannot afford Pakistan to fall into chaos as the Asian continent becomes critical to 21st century political, economic and social development.

I’m no fan of Accuracy in Media. It is a shrill, Rightwing organization that would give us Fox Noise on every network news outlet.

Still. . .

In a recent release, AIM notes that if Congress decides to regulate TV new because of violence in the aftermath of NBC News airing the Cho videos and photos after the Virginia Tech mass killings, that would be worse than the Peacock Network’s original action. (As I have blogged previously, I think NBC News made the right decision to air the Cho materials.)

Anyway, despite Reed Irvine’s ravings in his press release excerpted below, I have to agree: we don’t want the Federal Communications Commission going down this road.

An excerpt:

WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Accuracy in Media editor Cliff Kincaid has released the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s recommendation that Congress regulate violence on some television programs:

“The FCC does not propose to regulate TV violence during newscasts but that is where the real danger lies. NBC’s decision to air the videos, photos and statements of a demented mass killer could inspire copycat murders and more killings. This material, featuring the NBC News logo, was far worse than any broadcast of fake violence on the ‘professional’ wrestling show WWE Smackdown. Keep in mind that the mass murder of 32 people at Virginia Tech was inspired by the Columbine killers, whose murder spree in Colorado was the subject of news coverage, not entertainment programming.

“NBC became the Al-Jazeera of mass murderers and the network of choice for killers in the future. That’s why AIM sought the firing of NBC News President Steve Capus at the GE annual meeting on April 25. He should pay for his grossly irresponsible decision with his job. Parents have a role in protecting their children from TV violence and that goes far beyond changing the channel. Parents have to join with other citizens in putting pressure on the media not to glorify and sensationalize violence.

“The danger in Congress getting involved is that members of the House and Senate, in the current political climate, could use the excuse of regulating TV violence to go after the media for political or other forms of ‘indecent’ speech that may offend them. That is where Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, the primary movers in the Don Imus affair, want to go. We do not need Al Sharpton — or someone like him — as chairman of the FCC.”

Accuracy in Media (AIM) is a non-profit, grassroots citizens’ watchdog of the news media. Founded in 1969 by Reed Irvine, AIM is the oldest press watchdog group in America. For more information, please visit http://www.aim.org/.

Above: A tribute to the victims of the Virginia Tech murders. Virginia Tech caps were donated to PGA TOUR players to show their support during the third round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans held at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 21, 2007. Photo by: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR. PGA TOUR - 2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans - Third Round.

Cho Seung-Hui, Cho Seung Hui, NBC News, Virginia Tech killings, AIM, Accuracy in Media, FCC, Federal Communications Commission