U.S. Media's Timid Role in 1991 Gulf War Likely to Repeat in Any New Conflict with Iraq

Interview with John MacArthur, publisher of Harper's Magazine, conducted by Scott Harris

Since the White House campaign to make Iraq "public enemy number one" was launched this summer, the nation has been riveted on the Bush administration's charge that Saddam Hussein's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction justify a new U.S. war against his nation. The corporate broadcast media welcomed the talk of war, creating news programs, elaborate logos and theme music dedicated to the topic of a future conflict with Iraq.

In reviewing the U.S. media's conduct during the 1991 Persian Gulf War under the first President Bush, John MacArthur, author of the book, "Second Front, Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War," examined the ways in which the White House at that time easily manipulated public opinion through the use of blatant propaganda with the eager collaboration of a compliant press corps. As President Bush's son George W. now plans a new war against Iraq, MacArthur finds that the same brand of lies and half-truths are being employed to assemble national support for a pre-emptive strike against Baghdad that most of the world opposes.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with John MacArthur, publisher of Harper's Magazine, who discusses his fear that Pentagon censorship combined with a timid brand of corporate journalism will deprive the American people of the truth in any future war with Iraq.

"Second Front, Censorship and Propaganda in the Gulf War" is published by University of California Press. Visit Harper's Magazine Web site at www.harpers.org

Related links

Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting Web site, www.fair.org

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