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news report
 Monday April 14, 2003 09:35 by Kerry
 CNN's Chief News Exec Tells of Intimidation Over the last dozen years I made 13 trips to Baghdad to lobby the government to keep CNN's Baghdad bureau open and to arrange interviews with Iraqi leaders. Each time I visited, I became more distressed by what I saw and heard — awful things that could not be reported because doing so would have jeopardized the lives of Iraqis, particularly those on our Baghdad staff. For example, in the mid-1990's one of our Iraqi cameramen was abducted. For weeks he was beaten and subjected to electroshock torture in the basement of a secret police headquarters because he refused to confirm the government's ludicrous suspicion that I was the Central Intelligence Agency's Iraq station chief. CNN had been in Baghdad long enough to know that telling the world about the torture of one of its employees would almost certainly have gotten him killed and put his family and co-workers at grave risk. Working for a foreign news organization provided Iraqi citizens no protection. The secret police terrorized Iraqis working for international press services who were courageous enough to try to provide accurate reporting. Some vanished, never to be heard from again. Others disappeared and then surfaced later with whispered tales of being hauled off and tortured in unimaginable ways. Obviously, other news organizations were in the same bind we were when it came to reporting on their own workers. We also had to worry that our reporting might endanger Iraqis not on our payroll. I knew that CNN could not report that Saddam Hussein's eldest son, Uday, told me in 1995 that he intended to assassinate two of his brothers-in-law who had defected and also the man giving them asylum, King Hussein of Jordan. If we had gone with the story, I was sure he would have responded by killing the Iraqi translator who was the only other participant in the meeting. After all, secret police thugs brutalized even senior officials of the Information Ministry, just to keep them in line (one such official has long been missing all his fingernails). Still, I felt I had a moral obligation to warn Jordan's monarch, and I did so the next day. King Hussein dismissed the threat as a madman's rant. A few months later Uday lured the brothers-in-law back to Baghdad; they were soon killed. I came to know several Iraqi officials well enough that they confided in me that Saddam Hussein was a maniac who had to be removed. One Foreign Ministry officer told me of a colleague who, finding out his brother had been executed by the regime, was forced, as a test of loyalty, to write a letter of congratulations on the act to Saddam Hussein. An aide to Uday once told me why he had no front teeth: henchmen had ripped them out with pliers and told him never to wear dentures, so he would always remember the price to be paid for upsetting his boss. Again, we could not broadcast anything these men said to us. Last December, when I told Information Minister Muhammad Said al-Sahhaf that we intended to send reporters to Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq, he warned me they would "suffer the severest possible consequences." CNN went ahead, and in March, Kurdish officials presented us with evidence that they had thwarted an armed attack on our quarters in Erbil. This included videotaped confessions of two men identifying themselves as Iraqi intelligence agents who said their bosses in Baghdad told them the hotel actually housed C.I.A. and Israeli agents. The Kurds offered to let us interview the suspects on camera, but we refused, for fear of endangering our staff in Baghdad. Then there were the events that were not unreported but that nonetheless still haunt me. A 31-year-old Kuwaiti woman, Asrar Qabandi, was captured by Iraqi secret police occupying her country in 1990 for "crimes," one of which included speaking with CNN on the phone. They beat her daily for two months, forcing her father to watch. In January 1991, on the eve of the American-led offensive, they smashed her skull and tore her body apart limb by limb. A plastic bag containing her body parts was left on the doorstep of her family's home. I felt awful having these stories bottled up inside me. Now that Saddam Hussein's regime is gone, I suspect we will hear many, many more gut-wrenching tales from Iraqis about the decades of torment. At last, these stories can be told freely. Eason Jordan |
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Comments (9 of 9)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9In-House Memos On Television News Presentations 4-9-3
It has long been the strong belief of many Americans that their print
and television media is subject to certain government oversight and,
finally, control.
Recently, a mid-level executive of one of the three major American
television networks sent on over 1500 pages of memos from the corporate
offices of his network in New York to the head of their television news
division.
These memos contain a multitude of instructions concerning the
presentation of national and international news for the network's
viewers. Corporate is obviously subject to the opinions of various
pressure groups, to include those of official Washington and the Jewish
community.
It would be impossible to show all of these revealing documents but
selections are certainly possible. What is not possible, obviously, is
to reveal either the name of the conscience-stricken media executive
nor
the company that employs him. These comments, therefore, can be
accepted
or rejected by the reader as they see fit.
If the shoe fits, however, wear it.
(March 22) ...it is not conducive to maintaining an overall
neutrality
in the Palestine uprisings to show any pictures of the American
peacenik
that was run over by the Israeli army bulldozer. This is only to be
mentioned as a "tragic accident-" for which the IDF "is truly saddened"
(Feb 10) ...It is not permitted at this point to use or refer to any
film clips, stills or articles emanating from any French source
whatsoever.
(Feb 26) It is expected that coverage of the forthcoming Iraqi
campaign will be identical with the coverage used during Desert Storm.
Shots of GIs must show a mixed racial combination...any interviews must
reflect the youthful and idealistic, not the cynical point of
view...the
liberation of happy, enthusiastic Iraqis can be best shown by filming
crowds of cheering citizens waving American flags. Also indicated would
be pictures of photogenic GIs fraternizing with Iraqi children and
handing them food or other non-controversial presents...of course,
pictures of dead US military personnel are not to be shown and pictures
of dead Iraqi soldiers should not show examples of violent death...also
indicated would be brief interviews with English-speaking Iraqi
citizens
praising American liberation efforts...all such interviews must be
vetted by either the White House or Pentagon before public airing.
(March 12) At this point in time, reference to North Korean military
threats must be played down entirely. The Iraqi Freedom campaign has to
be concluded in the public mind before proceeding with the next assault
on the Evil Axis.
(March 26) US alliances with the Turkish/Iraqi Kurdish tribes should
be played down. This is considered a very sensitive issue with the
Turks
and American arming and support of the Kurds could create a severe
backlash in Ankara...Kurds should be depicted as 'Iraqi Freedom
Fighters' and not identified as Kurds.
(March 2) ...further references to the religious views of the
President are to be deleted...
(March 15) photo opportunities of the President and members of his
cabinet, especially Secretary Rumsfeld, with enthusiastic GIs·.
(March 19) No mention, repeat, no mention, of Palestinian suicide
bombers during the Iraqi operation...
(March 25) ...no mention of either Wolfowitz or Pearle should be made
at the present time.
(March 10) ...pro-Government rallies are to be given the fullest
coverage...if anti-Government demonstrations are shown, it is desired
to
stress either a very small number of ãeccentricsä or shots of social
misfits; i.e., with beards, tattoos, physical deformities, etc.
Pro-Government supporters should be seen as clean cut with as many
well-groomed subjects as possible...subjects should stress complete
support for the Presidentâs programs and especially support for
American
military units en route to combat...also interviews with photogenic
family members of participating GIs stressing loyalty and
affection·American flags are always a good prop in the background...
(March 30) Friction between Secretary Rumsfeld and senior military
field commanders in Iraq are to be strictly minimalized and used only
when impossible to avoid...the Secretary's point of view on all
military
matters is to be stressed...important to bring out his reputation as a
'man who shakes things up' and a brilliant innovator.
(March 31) ...no discussion of high-level rumors about pre-emptive
tactical nuclear strikes against North Korean missile, ãhardä artillery
positions opposite Seoul or key North Korean leadership or military
commands is to be mentioned. It must be stressed that the North Korean
situation is viewed as ãserious but not criticalä by unnamed 'senior
U.S. military leaders.'
(March 31) ...no mention of PRC strong objections to US pre-emptive
actions against North Korea...a short summary of the Presidentâs
refusal
to 'enter into any kind of negotiations' with the North Korean
government...background report on the irrational and anti-democratic
forces in North Korea - the desire of South Korea's officials to
maintain a close relationship with their American military
protectors...no discussion of anti-US demonstrations in Seoul. These
can
be routinely dismissed as 'radical students who are not supported by
the
new liberal and strongly pro-American President.'
April 4) ...sharply rising unemployment numbers, this should be
countered with official interviews stressing that the unemployment
situation is now stabilizing and expected to fall soon.
(March 30) Because of the seriousness of the spread of SARS, actual
figures of either the infected or of any deaths from local medical
facilities must be carefully vetted via the CDC press information
office
in Atlanta. From the highest level, it is imperative that the American
public not panic over the very rapid spread of this disease.
Speculations of the actual nature of SARS is not under any
circumstances
to be permitted. Keep in mind the currently in- place rules following
the outbreak of 'Legionnaires Disease.'
(April 4) ...a discussion of French desecrations of American and
British war graves in France is to receive specific notice. Also,
damage
to the 9/11 memorial in Paris is to be included. No pictures of
swastikas or other defamatory and anti-Administration graffiti are to
be
shown. French official apologies are permitted...no comments equating
the President with Hitler will be made...and the invasion of Iraq may
not be compared with Hitler's invasion of Poland, and such allegations
now being made extensively in offshore media coverage are not to
receive
any attention. The Iraqi campaign is officially a campaign by a
democratic United States against ruthless cruelty and oppression.
(April 5) ...comments appearing in the left-wing British Guardian
about the occupation and administration of a conquered (read ãliberated
and newly democratizedä) Iraq by American military personnel are to be
ignored. 'Pacification, liberation, freedom and gratitude towards US
forces,' and the President are to be stressed.
(March 29) The President's goal, to achieve oil autarchy by the
United
States, is suggested as the subject for a future series. Congressional
denial of drilling in various environmentally 'sensitive' areas may be
derided as foolish misunderstanding of America's vital oil needs and
catering to the radical environmentalist groups. The interdiction of
oil
shipments to the United States from Venezuela and Nigeria are not to be
commented upon. The attitude of Chavez towards the United States is
also
considered a non-topic. He was removed from power once and it can
happen
a second time. File footage of large crowds of distressed and unhappy
Venezuelans should be prepared against the time he is removed from
power
again.
(April 4) If possible, pictures of the President with a book or,
better, actually reading, are suggested. Commentary about his extensive
reading habits...stress important historical and economic works.
(April 5) Presidential visits to military units in the United States
are to receive full coverage and to extend past the usual slot
time...spots of especially warm receptions are considered very
important.
(March 31) ...at pro-government rallies, signs showing: 'Antiwar' (or
'Protestors') = 'Terrorist' should be given specific coverage.
(April 1) It has been suggested that something be worked up showing
that, unlike Vietnam, Americaâs college students support the President
fully and are not involved in the anti-war movements. It is considered
advisable to blame the 'former hippie-type' professors for any campus
anti-war sentiment. Students could be shown eagerly joining their ROTC
chapters or even holding pro-Administration demonstrations.
http://tbrnews.org/Archives/a273.htm
you'll believe anything
Though I would be skeptical about something like the above, I don't think it takes such a great leap of imagination to think that it isn't possible. Remember the graduate dissertation used as an excuse for the War on Iraq? To suggest that there may be government memos instructing the media on how to portray the war--- and anti-war protesters etc. ---is hardly the stuff of David Icke. Carefully orchestrated propaganda in a time of war is hardly unusual, now is it?
Perhaps Aidan is unaware but tbrnews.org and The Barnes Review are NEO NAZI publications run by the infamous anti-semite Willis Carto - do your homework before you spread hate
INDYMEDIA EDITORS ARE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEO NAZI PROPAGANDA BEING POSTED ON YOUR SITE!
(s)he's right you know, they have an awful lot of books about Hitler!!!!!!!
The source the article came from is a nice DJ from Tokyo who is usually reliable about these thinks I only gave the source site a quick scan, my bad.
Interesting line of logic. Suppose the barnes site and others got it from _somewhere_ else. Would that make the content less or more true or have no effect?
You can't use your head to think if you're a Fuck Head, can you?
If you'd done your homework about the site you would see why you could not trust what is on it unless of course you are a whites-only, jew-hating, neo-nazi conspriacist. Don't believe me - do a Google on your man and the site.
WHY DO INDYMEDIA SUPPORTERS AND REGULARS LIKE PHUQ HEAD SUPPORT NEO NAZIS?
Done my homework, the source comes from an intelligent leftwing yahoo group called "technognosis" dealing with science, media, music, humour, and the like.
Before posting an article I'll check my sources but I was having my morning coffee scanning the site and my mail, and saw this as an apt comment.
Alternatively I'm an insidious neo nazi inflitrator.