Mainstream media coverage of the "war" in Iraq, compare to the Vietnam War?

Question

Its my understanding that during the Vietnam War, the major television networks would broadcast images of soldiers getting killed and wounded in battle. It was common for people watching the evening news to see the reality of what happens to the young people who are sent to fight.

Today, our mainstream media denies us of the images which are the reality of our troupes. I understand that our government would want to hide the harsh reality from us, which leads me to my question.

What has happened to our mainstream media? Why would the media not present the whole story about the current "war"? Is the media somehow subservient to the government? If so, are we not becoming a totalitarian government?

Thank you, in advance, for taking the time to answer.

Answer 1

The unreported "harsh reality" you speak of, is all the GOOD news that is not reported. Things are going swimmingly in Iraq, compared to Vietnam.

Vietnam was reverse-propaganda. So much so, that many ignorant people are convinced it was the bloodiest war. We lost more troops in 2 DAYS of World War2 than all of Iraq and Vietnam combined.

And back to the news. What have you heard about the events in Iraq, except for the bad? The only time it's on the News anymore, is when there's a roadside bombing, or a soldier gets charged with a war crime.

The news doesn't ever show you when the soldiers get aquitted. It doesn't show you the towns getting electricity aand running water. It doesn't show you the schools being built.

That "mission accomplished " banner was years ago, and the news has not leaked anythihing positive since!

Apparently, you do not watch the news at all, or you wouldnt be asking this question.

It is akin to asking why there is no bread at the supermarket, without having gone. There is always bread in the supermarket. In the United States, anyway.

Answer 2

First, let me correct your impression that the combined legitimate media broadcast Americans being killed in Vietnam. They did not. As a matter of policy no news outlet would do so.

If your second point is that coverage of the Iraq war fails to show our setbacks, and that they are somehow shielding us from reality, then I suggest that you tape or tivo the major broadcast outlets for a day or two. When you watch, you will see reports of death and injury to roadside bombs, suicide bombs and more horror than you can imagine.

The media is certainly not subservient to any entity (other than advertisers.) They are responsible to the FCC for content and for broadcast standards. Seldom do they advance the governments agenda (Fox network excepted.)

Give the totalitarian government business a rest. You and I live in the most advanced democracy in the world. We enjoy the prerogatives of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Nowhere in the world are people more free, with greater options of civil rights than we.

It gives me a headache whenever someone has a beef about one thing or another and winds up at the preposterous conclusion that we live in some gulag.

To  go from a dissatisfaction with media to a conclusion that America is becoming a totalitarian society is just wacky. Do you even understand what a totalitarian society is?

Give that c**p a rest!