Why doesn't the media report on sucesses in Iraq war and focus only on setbacks and death?

Question

The media tends to focus only on the bad aspects of the war in Iraq (death count obsession, a few Iraqi troops that don't do their job, etc). Obviously the war hasn't gone as originally planned and there have been a lot of casualties but the media is suposed to report on both good and bad and there has been good that is not being reported on (the success in Basra, numerous humanitarian efforts by US troops, development of infrastructure by government contractors etc).

Answer 1

thats what gets r5atings for some dumb reason just like they report every so called pit bull incident but you never hear about all the labs and golden retriever etc.. bites which happen more often

Answer 2

You are very correct in your assumption about the good the bad and the media in this war.  

The forces at work here are very methodical and very determined.  The liberal media, is concentrated on the bad, because they want to punish and hurt the party (republicans) that brought us into this war...(Not like Saddam Hussien brought it upon himself, i'm sure he is just an innocent victim, and going against everything that the UN wanted him to do:  Shooting anit-aircraft missles at our planes, denying UN workers from investigating the dark corners of his regime).

The fact is, that Al Quada and the Insurgency in Iraq, is now less significant than ever...almost completely underfoot and crushed.  

The fact is that American Troops and their internal colaborations between Suunis and Shiites are the reason for this.

Also, most Iraqi's embrace the fact that our troops are there everyday, relentlessly trying to restore civility and peace, not to mention the rehabilitation of the country itself. Government, buildings, and education...

The road to rehabilitation is a long one, but it will have long lasting positive effects...and might end up truly bringing model for which all the backwardness of the Middle East could strive for....

After WW2...Japan and Germany were a mess....after America got through with them, both those countries sit high atop the list in Power, Economics, Eductaion, and Life style...

My brother is in the Marines and has been in Iraq for 3 tours...he always says how well things are going, and he is truly proud of the work that he does, he comes home with pictures of happy Iraqi children and talks of the specific experiences he has had with the Iraqi people...and he hates it as well...when all the focus is on one suicide bomber rather than the multitudes of great strides that have been made....

Peace

Answer 3

Really you really want Bush/Cheney to focus on development. Compare success with setbacks/death. The reason there is a focus on death b/c first there was no need for casualties. Then it is important b/c they have given their life & setbacks b/c that affects everything.

Make a list of setbacks/death & other list of successes. You want bush to focus on that.

Answer 4

Whats positive in this war ? killing of thousands of people ? Over spending ? Duration ?

Answer 5

We should focus on the positive things that happen instead of the negative BUT that isn't going to happen because the consumers LOVE drama!!

Answer 6

The media does report on these events. However, there's been more dramatic failures than there has been more dramatic successes. Besides, it's human nature to be more interested in people going through diversity than to be living normal lives.

Also, the US DOD public affairs has stepped up its producing and writing of these stories, such as at www.defendamerica.com. Since these stories are out there, the media then focuses on stories that aren't being done.

Answer 7

They are doing their jobs as Journalist.

Answer 8

How can you have 'successes' in a war you have already lost?

Answer 9

This war started at the far end of the negative side, has been continuing on the negative side and will never reach its positive side. This leaves nothing positive for the media to report unless they have to lie to the public like our president did 5 years ago. I hope this has answered your question.

Answer 10

The news media are amazingly uniform in their bias.  And they think it is their job to shape events, not to report the news.

Times have changed.

Answer 11

Hey man, I feel you, but the sad truth of the matter is that there really isn't anything good about war and occupation.  Look, don't get discouraged - I think a lot of people know about the good stuff our soldiers do on a dialy basis - they aren't just out there kicking in doors and shooting people.

They're handing out blankets, water, food - providing medical attention and desperately trying to protect innocents without getting themselves killed.  We know that already --- all that's left really is to keep us updated on the events that unfold and unfortunately --- and dear god I wish people realized this more strongly 7 years ago --- most of the stuff unfolding in a WAR ZONE is NOT GOOD.  It's bad.  War is a bad, bad, bad, very serious, very ugly, very depressing, very deadly and death obsessed thing.

I wouldn't fault the journalists.  No amount of sugar coating is going to change what our troops face daily - and I think it would be a disservice to gloss over it and give "equal time" because the reality is the bad stuff is wayyyyyy more comon than the good.

Sorry man.  I have family over there - they keep me posted and I have to support them as they face stuff you and I only see in the movies.