Jingoism Isn't Journalism: Why I Don't Trust Corporate Media on Iran

By Linda Milazzo, AlterNet. Posted June 25, 2009.

I'm in awe of their patriotism and heroism and I want them to prevail. Still I question whether corporate-media's intense coverage and uncharacteristic emoting are in the best interests of the people of Iran. As the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's graphic violence against the people is continually televised, some in this country may soften to the idea of American intervention in Iran, as happened with Iraq after ongoing corporate-media/Bush administration/anti Iraq indoctrination. Absurd inflammatory statements have already been made by corporate-media representatives, notably by CNN, that can drive the case to support military action. Witness the video below of CNN anchor Don Lemon's wanton assertion of a correlation between Iran and Rwanda, suggesting that Iran may be the new Rwanda and the United States may suffer similar regret for non-action as it did for not interceding in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Here's the video of Lemon making that ludicrous comparison, which he has made more than once:

I question the motives and involvement of the same corporate-media that sold an unnecessary preemptive war and profited from its prosecution. I'm suspect of a corporate-media that co-opts people's personal media reports, then re-frames and retells them using the same corporate launch pads that propelled an illegal war.

I'm distrustful of the same corporate-media that refuses to show graphic murders in Iraq that involve our American military, but broadcasts murders by the military of a nation America opposes. And worse, I'm infuriated by that same Corporate News Network, CNN, that had the temerity on Sunday to feature Paul Wolfowitz being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer in a discussion on Iran. The same Paul Wolfowitz who was a principal architect of the Iraq war, and who on Sunday used the ominous words "the darkness is falling" to support his argument for outside "assistance" for Iran.

Really, CNN, have you no shame? I'm nervous folks. I hear the drums of corporate-media pounding to engage Iran -- and they aren't pounding diplomacy. I see a clear and present danger. I hope I'm wrong. And I sincerely hope Barack Obama maintains his politically sound disengagement and doesn't follow the drum beats to war.

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Linda Milazzo is a Los Angeles based writer, educator and activist. Since 1974, she has divided her time between the entertainment industry, government organizations & community development projects, and educational programs.

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