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with the regime as if it were safe and sound, and
went along with its efforts to portray the
impending conflict only as a war between Western
powers and an Arab regime that was ready
to confront and to defy them in the name of Arab
dignity and solidarity,”
He went on to take a swipe at the western
media too, saying, “Arab journalists embedded
with coalition forces suffered from a lack of
objectivity and balance because they were able
to report only the information they were given,
and because their movements were restricted.”
He then referred obliquely to recent comments
from Christianne Amanpour who charged that
CNN’s war coverage had been muzzled, “As one
of the prominent Western reporters noted a few
weeks ago, she, too, had to practice self-censorship,
while her station had felt intimidated both
by the U.S. Administration and by competitors,”
he said.
CNN ROYALTY
EMBEDDED: WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION
AMERICAN news royalty was represented by
Chris Cramer, the president of CNN’s International
networks who followed, but did not
respond to the reference to the statement by one
his own correspondents. Nic Robertson of CNN
was asked about it directly and demurred. A
CNN correspondent later told me that they were
all told to watch what they say and not talk about
CNN.
Cramer praised the Arab Media instead, saying
“Let me salute you for your courage and
commitment in covering the conflict, the one in
Afghanistan and the continuing nightmare in
Israel and the Palestinian territories. I believe
the new Arab media has brought a collective
286
voice, which is crucial for the people of this
region and for those of us outside the area as
well.” I have heard Cramer in the past contrast
what CNN’s International channels do with the
domestic channels – and criticize the later. Perhaps
his new corporate role precludes that now.
He is very admired in the business for his concern
with the safety of journalists. I include an
interview with him in my book, “Media Wars.”
PETER ARNETT: OUTSPOKEN AS USUAL
LATER in the conference, the one time CNN star
Peter Arnett spoke. Peter is now living in Baghdad,
writing his own book on the Saddam years.
I had some problems getting him to tell me what
really went on behind the scenes when he was
fired during the war by MSNBC. He did blame
Fox for targeting him and making him too hot for
that network. I gave Arnett a copy of this book,
hoping he would like it. I was flattered when he
not only enthused about it but also gave me an
on-camera statement to use when the hard back
version comes out. Maybe Fox News will now
take note of it and start attacking me. Recall that
Al Franken’s new book was pushed on to the
bestseller list when FOX sued Franken (and lost)
and Bill O’Reilly attacked them. Please Rupert,
take a whack.
Arnett explained that he was “crucified for
having gone on Iraqi TV for a few minutes during
the war”. His defense: “As journalists, we
need to know the other side, we should know the
other side.” He also said “War reporting was on
a decline. CNN’s success during the first war
motivated others. It inspired other organizations
to cover live TV. In the first war, I was the only
(foreign correspondent) in Baghdad. Everyone