December 14, 2006

Media Helping Fuel Violence in Iraq: Eason Jordan GETS It!

Words I thought I'd never utter: Eason Jordan gets it.

From his new blog, Iraqslogger:

The Iraqi sects have their own TV stations and newspapers, and the extreme among them often explictly incite violence against each other and U.S. forces.

As Bill Roggio and others reported a few days ago, one rabid pro-Saddam Sunni TV station even has an on-camera presenter who wears a flak jacket and military garb and presents videos of (and applauds) attacks against Iraqi security forces, Shia militias, and the U.S. military.

Yes, unquestionably, sadly, the extreme elements of the Iraqi media share in the blame for the sectarian bloodshed.

You also definitely need to read Bill Roggio's more extensive report here.

The only thing not mentioned in Eason's post is that much of this propaganda is then presented on more mainstream Arabic stations, such as al Jazeera, in the European press, and even, occasionally, in the US press. Which fuels anti-American sentiment abroad, demoralizes Americans at home, and helps Salafi extremists raise funds and recruits for the Iraq jihad effort.

Perhaps we were all wrong about Eason, after all? I'm starting to think so. This trip Michelle and Curt are taking is looking pretty legit after all. How do I get in on that action?

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 09:40 PM | |