Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I don't know who the anonymous anchor is, or what station/network, but this is quite good, and could describe any number of media outlets:
...Dear XXXX,
I'm writing for some clarification about how we are supposed to cover the Gaza flotilla story. If we, as a news organization, are supposed to be acting as a public relations arm of Hamas, or Hezbollah, both internationally recognized terrorist organizations, or if we are supposed to be jumping on the bandwagon of 1930's style anti-Semitism that's presently sweeping much of the world, then we are doing a fine job. If we are supposed to be acting as a news organization that covers the story objectively, then our coverage is a travesty and an embarrassment.
I just finished watching XXXX's piece on yesterday's 5pm newscast, so I could better understand the grotesquely distorted and biased voice-over that ran on this morning's show. XXXX interviewed former diplomat Edward Peck, who was onboard the "Gaza Flotilla," without describing his views on the Middle East. Some perspective would have helped. Among other things, Peck spoke these words, later famously used by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright:"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye...and now we are indignant, because the stuff we have done overseas is now brought back into our own front yards."
Peck is deeply controversial in other ways. But no mention was made in XXXX's story of anything that might cast the slightest doubt on Pecks political motivations.
In addition, remarkably, her piece made no mention - absolutely none -- of the Israeli perspective in this story. For example...[The rest.]
This would mean something if it had actually been sent and/or published.
It does reflect a disturbing pattern no doubt - but as long as people who have influence remain silent nothing will change.
TNR published a book review under the title "Pogroms of Words," a phrase descriptive of what's leveled at Israel daily, all over the world.