Is the Media helping insurgents and terrorists?

Question

If there was no significant outcry in the U.S. calling for immediate pullout. And the media was not sensationalizing and pointing out every single attack that the insurgents make, would there still be an insurgency now?
Would insurgents still do what they do now if they had no media to play to, and no "pull-out now" crowd in the U.S. to motivate their actions? Why or why not?
I know many in the U.S. have strong feelings about this war, but please be thoughtful and honest with this answer. Thanks!!

Answer 1

In this war on terror, the media (by and large) has played to the needs of the terrorists rather than to the needs of the United States. A prime example of this behavior is how the various news outlets have printed stories about top secret programs aimed at stopping terrorism. The media needs to remeber that "Freedom of the Press" does not mean "Freedom from responsibility", and those that leak these stories need to be caught and SEVERLY punished.

When I look at the main stream news these days I just shake my head and ask myself - "Where has the American Spirit gone to? What has happened to true Patriotism?" It's all about money and power now - regardless of the out come.

I remember hearing about a "peace rally" that made the national news a few months ago. It was HEAD LINE news - the TOP STORY OF THE DAY. The news gave the impression that it was a large organized anti-war rally. A bt of research on the web revealed the FACT that it was only about 16 people, and those 16 people were all crammed right in front of the camera so that it looked like there might be hundreds. Is that lying? Is that "news"? Is that a realistic portait of what took place? Or was it a story that was spun and orchestrated in order to underscore a particular point of view? Hmmmmm.......

I don't watch commercial or "national" news any more - its all a bunch of propaganda.

Answer 2

I do not believe there is a significant outcry in this country to pull out of Iraq. The majority of Americans may not like the war or the fact that our soldiers are sacrificing their lives but that does not translate into a desire to pull them out. I think this impression is directly related to the spin placed on everything associated with the war by a news media that has a liberal agenda. I do believe that the media makes a concerted effort to focus on stories that paint their own country in a bad light. It is possible to tell a story based on facts but facts alone don't sell newspapers or attract viewers. It is important to remember that the news industry of today is entertainment first and news second.
I think the terrorists that we are fighting do pay attention to our media and may even find it somewhat motivating. I do not think that the media alone can in any way be held responsible for their continued will to fight however. Our own political will is being sapped though and this may result in failure to commit the necessary time, resources, and power to successfully wage this war.

Answer 3

The media is not helping anybody except for the American people to stay informed.That the Bush Administration claims it cannot do job if the New York Times is exercising its first Ammendment rights is a joke.If Bush and his gang is that dependent on whether or not true stories are reported I say let's have a special election NOW to put someone in the White House who won't tip off the media then use false complaining about it as a campaign tool.

Answer 4

I am sure it helps fuel their resolve, if they think America's position is weakening that will only make them fight harder. News stations and the media publish stories to sell papers or increase the number of viewers. Talking about the positive things over there (such as the oil production being back up to pre-war levels (no were not taking it)) doesn't sell to the public as well as attacks against our troops. You must also bear in mind that media organizations have owners who often have strong political ties, and often use their Newspaper or other format to sway the public towards the party they support. Sad, but true.

Answer 5

Yes, there would still be an insurgency. I think its naive to believe that our media and anti-war protestors somehow embolden the insurgents. To think that the insurgents would say "Oh well, their resolve is too strong, alas, there is no hope for us. Their media is not reporting the damage we are inflicting with our roadside bombings, they are not protesting the war, we are doomed!" is just silly. They don't care what our media or people say, they want to kill the occupiers!

Answer 6

The media reports news, though it is true from what I've heard from soldiers and others that the media never really shows the good our troops do, but that is the nature of the media. It has nothing to do with some kooky conspiracy, it's just that people would like more to hear of misfortune and things going wrong than they would the opposite, but just because of that does not mean that everything is going a-ok as people like to make believe, war is hell and war is hard, a whole lot of people have a cartoon and movies based view on the nature of war, it never works out that way, ever. If people can't stomach the nature of war, than they should probably speak out against it, but don't take a trip to la la land and start imagining that because our soldiers are American, that for some reason they would act different from any other human beings in a war, regardless of protocol and regulation. War is what it has always been, it's just a whole lot easier to kill a lot more people now due to technology. Also, in any war, to fight the enemy properly, you have to look at the war from the enemy's viewpoint, in this war, if you look at the attacks from the inssurgents, not the Al-Quaeda terrorists, but the insurrgents, they are really just trying to defend their country, I sure as hell don't agree with their methods, but if I was in their shoes in this country, I would'nt rest until every single enemy invader was either dead or dying, and I am sure 90 percent of this country would agree with me, and I really would'nt care if media was here or not, all that would matter is the defense of my homeland. Now over there, you would be surprised that a lot of Iraqis really want our troops there, but understandably, there is always that portion that does'nt care why we're there, they just care that we are there, and there prime objective is kill as many of our people as they can, and boot the invaders out, they don't care who is there taping them or whatever, although they do a good enough job in the Arab and other international media without ABC or CBS. If you actually looked at other nations media and their views of this war, I don't think you would be so quick to proclaim that our media is "helping the enemy". Besides, would you really prefer that we never heard of enemy activity or US troop casualties, if that is the case, then it seems you are dishonoring our soldiers efforts over there. Next time you see something about insurrgent or terrorist activity on the mass media, pay attention and appreciate what our people are going through over there, I hear stories from friends that have served over there, I used to think this war was nothing major, but from these stories, now I have a different view, this is a real war, and you just can't ignore whats going on over there, like certain people prefer, and make believe like it's military vacation in Iraq. Be appreciative of what our soldiers are doing and stop wanting people from telling their story, see this war for what it really is, than maybe you will see the reasons for making sure we have sufficient reason for going to war. I believe that is the reason me and a whole lot of other people think this war is not needed, I personally would have rather went to war with a regime that is far more threatening than Iraq ever was because I realise war is never easy or proper, though sometimes it is a necessary evil, you just have to make sure that you use that evil only when it means the utmost benifit for the US, and her people, unfortunately I feel that there are such grave concerns out there in that region and elsewhere and considering that our forces are partially tied up in a conflict which to me seems of minimal benefit that we maybe left without a reasonable option if there were to be an action from another country.

Answer 7

well with the freedom of speech and all, if the for a couple months the media doesnt show any of that info, people would get angry at them for censorship or covering up info. Still even without the media, the problems wouldnt just disappear. There would still be murders and killings.

Answer 8

No, and everytime the media mentions how bad it is in Iraq, the Bush administration frowns upon it. Hello? Isn't that what this country is all about? Freedom of speech and of the press?

Answer 9

Yes, I think they are. When our politicians and media call our troops "murderers" and "Nazis", this plays into the hands of our enemy. When the media print/air stories about covert operations to thwart the funding of the terrorist, this, too, plays into the hands of our enemies.

Answer 10

You think our media is bad and influencing now. Just wait until Al-Jazeera International comes to your local cable company.