The Necessity -- and Responsibility -- of Free and Independent Media
by Ron Forthofer, Ph.D., October 18, 2001
 

Ron Forthofer, retired professor of biostatistics from the University of Texas School of Public Health, has been active in peace and social justice issues since moving to Colorado in 1991. In 2000, he was the Green Party candidate for Congress in the 2nd district of Colorado. Ron has traveled twice to the Middle East with Christian Peacemaker Teams, a group working to bring about a non-violent resolution to conflicts around the world.

Will Rogers said, "All I know is just what I read in the papers."

Herbert Hoover stated, "Absolute freedom of the press to discuss public questions is a foundation stone of American liberty."

These two quotes describe the vital role of the American media in informing the public about the events of the day.  Unfortunately, in crises, our corporate media often abrogate that responsibility.  Instead, they essentially become a propaganda tool of the government, reaching a level of conformity that the Soviets would have envied.

For example, George Bush recently called for a war against terrorism and declared that there would be no statute of limitations on terrorist acts.  Why didn't the White House press corps demand a definition of the "terrorism" to be targeted by this war?  It's obvious, you say.  Well, maybe not.  An interesting perspective was provided by former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Shamir who, in defending the terrorism of his Stern Gang, said:

"There are those who say that to kill [an individual] is terrorism, but to attack an army camp is guerrilla warfare and to bomb civilians is professional warfare.  But I think it is the same from the moral point of view."

Clearly, the attacks on September 11th were terrorism, appalling crimes against humanity, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.  However, where were the media voices questioning why the Bush administration, and not the UN, was to be the arbiter on terrorism?  Instead of any thoughtful questioning, the corporate media simply parroted Bush's rhetoric and became cheerleaders for a war against whatever enemy Bush named.

Reporters also could have asked Bush when terrorism committed by people living in the U.S. will be targeted.  For example, 25 years ago, Cuban-American terrorists blew up a Cuban plane and killed all 73 people aboard, including members of Cuba's Olympic team.  Will the US attack Miami, where one of these terrorists now lives as a hero?

Does Bush intend to attack Boston or to freeze the assets of those Americans who helped fund the IRA's terrorism?

Will the US threaten cities and states where the Ku Klux Klan has members?

The World Court found the US government guilty of violating international law when it mined Nicaragua's harbors and failed to give any warning to international shipping.  Does Bush intend to smoke out responsible officials from the Reagan administration, including his own father?

Wasn't it terrorism when the Clinton administration bombed a Sudanese pharmaceutical plant?  Will the US target Clinton administration officials?

Extending beyond our borders, will the US bomb Israel which, in its pre-state days, used terrorism in an effort to drive the British and Palestinians out of Palestine?  [For example, former Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin's Irgun gang blew up a wing of the King David hotel in Jerusalem in 1946, killing 91 British, Palestinian and Jewish civilians.]

Will we bomb Turkey for its terrorism against the Kurds?  Indonesia for its terrorism against the East Timorese?  Or other nations that use their military in state-sponsored terrorism?

No, the focus of this war is extremely narrow -- terrorism by so-called radical Islamists -- and reinforces the view that the US is biased against Arabs and Muslims.

When the media fail to point out such blatant hypocrisy, it's hard for Americans to understand why people around the world are so critical of US policies.

This latest embarrassing chapter in the long saga of dereliction of duty by the American corporate media demonstrates why all of us need to seek out a wide range of information sources.  Alternative newspapers and magazines; community radio and television such as Free Speech TV; and web sites such as www.commondreams.org offer different perspectives on world events and challenge mainstream media propaganda.

Don't let our "free" media lead you around like sheep.  Be a truly patriotic American -- one who is informed and involved.