Iraqi Gov't Warns Media About Coverage

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi government warned news organizations Thursday to distinguish between insurgents and ordinary civilians in coverage of the fighting in Fallujah and to promote the leadership's position or face unspecified action.



The warning came in a statement sent to news organizations by Iraq (news - web sites)'s Media High Commission, which cited the 60-day state of emergency declared Sunday on the eve of the offensive in Fallujah.


"You must be precise and objective in handling news and information," the statement said.


It stressed the necessity of differentiating between "innocent citizens of Fallujah who are not targeted by the military operations and between the terrorist groups who infiltrated the city and took its people hostage under the pretext of resistance and jihad."

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=1&u=/ap/20041111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_media

More bombings for media outlets or snipers killing cameramen?

[htuttle]

1. Why? The US military doesn't distinguish between them

Just today, they were boasting about killing 500 'insurgents' in Fallujah. I'm sure some of them were even in diapers.

[maddezmom]

4. it's a direct threat to news organizations..wonder if it's only Iraqi's

It also told news organizations to tell their correspondents "to be credible and precise" and not to "add patriotic descriptions to groups of killers and criminals."


Finally, the commission told news organizations to provide space to explain "the government position, expressing the ambition of most of the Iraqi people" and underscore that "these military operations did not come about until all peaceful means were attempted" to avoid violence.


It said that failure to follow the instructions will require authorities to "take all necessary measures to safeguard the supreme interest of the homeland." The statement did not provide further details.

[AtlantaBob]

2. One man's insurgent is another man's freedom fighter....

[bluedonkey]

3. So he's threatening

the media,or at least the ones,who actually report the news! Interesting!Guess too many reports of military snipers picking off civilians in the streets.
Disgusting!

[William Bloode]

5. Bwahahahahahaha....

gotta love all that freedom we exported to them. It would be truly side splitting if it was not for the fact thousands have died for this glorious freedom.

[pinniped]

6. I'm sure alawi has a personal Goebbels in the waiting.

n/t

[MichiganVote]

7. "Freedom is on the march" GWB, 2004, that about says it all

[UL_Approved]

8. I can't believe they actually called it "the homeland"

Only NAZIs and Stalinist supporters refer to their country as "The Homeland" (or "The Motherland"). I seriously wonder how long it will be before some people who lived through those days will pick up on this terminology and make the connection.

[tedzbear]

15. Hello? What about OUR "homeland security" department?

The * cabal loves using those Nazi terms.

[pleiku52cab]

9. Seig Heil

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. "not to "add patriotic descriptions to groups of killers and criminals." "

"It also told news organizations to tell their correspondents "to be credible and precise" and not to "add patriotic descriptions to groups of killers and criminals." "

Are they talking about US forces or Iraqi freedom fighters?

[Barrett808]

11. Why should media distinguish between insurgents and civilians...

...Bu$hCo clearly doesn't?

[leftchick]

12. Photos are pretty damn objective....

and he does not look like a fucking 'terrorist'!

[Tsiyu]

13. Yeah. Big Surprise

The Gubbmint does the same thing here, only not so openly.

[maddezmom]

14. just think about it, ABC is afraid to air "Private Ryan"

sad state of the US media :(

[Career Prole]

16. Hire U.S. reporters...they're already paper-trained. n/t

[Darranar]

17. "Precise and objective"...

in other words, say what we want you to say....

[Bush was AWOL]

18. This is bullshit!

I could see during a necessary war like WWII when we were facing real threats why you'd keep the media out of it as much as possible to keep the morale at home up.

But as much coverage of this idiotic war should be shown as possible, and the media should point out every death of innocent women and children, and young US soldiers.

[Erika]

19. World Wires Show the Maiming & Deaths Of Iraqi Citizens

Bush, following his mother's lead, doesn't think we should have our beatiful minds bothered by such. You know, according to Falwell/Robertson, they are only Iraqis and Islam believers, not really human.