Page 156 - Mass Media, Mass Propoganda Examining American News in the War on Terror

146 Chapter 6

rather than to principals of international or national law. International law
clearly outlaws military aggression outside of two pre-texts: self-defense, and
U.N. Security Council authorization of the use of force, in which the United
States could claim neither.
Anti-war celebrities are also regarded as attractive targets, since their mass
appeal is a potentially powerfd tool of the anti-war movement at a time when
procedural "anti-war" views dominate the mainstream press. In one instance,
Tony Snow, former talk show host for Fox News, derided actor Tim Robbins for
protesting the invasion of Iraq. Robbins' claim that the media "has shoved the
war down the public's throat" was met with hostility, as both Snow and Lloyd
Grove of the Washington Post concurred that Robbins was a "complete fascist,"
who was "brainwashing" the American public against the war.63
Pro-war pundits also directed their attacks against prominent political offi-
cials who criticized the war. On CNNHeadline News, Chuck Roberts and Linda
Stoeffer postulated that Congresswoman Barbara Boxer's criticisms of Secretary
of State Condoleeza Rice regarding the Bush administration's manipulation of
intelligence regarding Iraqi weapons of mass destruction were motivated by
aspirations for a higher political 0ffice.6~ Similarly, Bill O'Reilly assumed that
the anti-war criticisms of Richard Clarke, the former counter-terrorism coordina-
tor for the Bush administration, were motivated largely by a desire to sell his
book, Against AN Enemies: Inside America's War on ~error.6' The criticism of
anti-war figures for being motivated by personal gain (whether that is selling a
book or running for higher office) is a classic means for limiting meaningful
protest. By relying on such lines of superficial criticisms that frame anti-war
activists as out for personal gain, pundits draw attention away from the substan-
tive content of anti-war messages.

Punishing Anti-War Dissent

Media discomfort with anti-war perspectives is characterized by more than just
verbal reprimand. For the limitation of substantive protest of government for-
eign policy to be effective, there must be clear, tangible penalties in place so as
to discourage or deter debate outside the parameters of "acceptable" opinions.
Prominent figures in the media have been subject to a number of punishments
intended to skirt foundational anti-war opposition to the Bush administration.
These punishments include intimidation, firings, and the use of censorship in
order to limit messages questioning pro-war propaganda.
Major network reporters are heavily influenced by nationalistic pro-war
pressures. CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour explained that she felt threatened
by the Bush administration and those within the media who attempted to pres-
sure CAN and other media outlets to climb on board in support of the "War on
error."^ Arnanpour maintained that television networks were "intimidated by
the [Bush] administration and its foot soldiers at Fox News. And it did, in fact,
put a climate of fear and self-censorship in terms of the kind of broadcast work
we did." The story of Jeremy Glick, an anti-war protestor whose father was