Is the Iraq war vanishing from US view? (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Laura Smith-Spark
BBC News, Washington

The US-led war in Iraq is now five years old. Yet it seems the American media and public are paying less attention than ever.

Coverage has declined sharply, according to a Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism study, falling from an average of 15% of news output last August to just 3% in February this year.

A separate Pew study found that only 28% of Americans recently polled could correctly identify the number of US troops killed in Iraq, compared with more than half in August last year.

In response, the non-partisan Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) group launched a petition this week calling on the major US TV networks to "make sure the Iraq war is getting the coverage it deserves".

While the week of the war's fifth anniversary has seen an increase in coverage, much of it has been retrospective in tone, analysts say, rather than focused on events now.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7308882.stm

[gateley]

1. It vanished for many long ago.

It's almost become an accepted way of life.

It's heartbreaking.

[lligrd]

2. The Only Appearance It Makes These Days Is When The Economy

comes up or McCain tries to replay his youth and puts a flap jacket on.

[jwirr]

3. It may be vanishing as the number one topic but as long as the

economy keeps tanking it will remain a topic of discussion. That thing is not paying for itself.

[barbtries]

4. it's like collectively we're little kids

holding our hands over our eyes: if we can't see it, it doesn't exist.
i spent a weekend watching the winter soldier hearings and felt it was so important that every adult american should be watching. i think i was practically the only one. it's sad.

we need a completely new MSM. oh, yeah: DU, alternet, daily kos, talking points. whew. thank heaven for the internets.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. War? What war?

Is someone having a war?

Not around here...............

[superkia]

6. As long as they keep us broke, stressed out and with no family...

time, we will continue to become a more selfish nation. Everyone is so tied up in trying to survive and find some kind of time for family, everything that doesn't hit a person directly just doesn't exist. When I was growing up, we were poor but had time and were less stressed. Now, you work your ass off, stay stressed and are still poor. The elite will continue with their agenda as long as the American people stay asleep and divided!

[FatDave]

7. Did all the journalists come home?

I never see reporting from Iraq any more. If so, why? Did it get too dangerous?