Page 157 - Mass Media, Mass Propoganda Examining American News in the War on Terror

Free Speech Fatalities 147

killed in the September 1 lth terrorist attacks in New York, is also instructive of
the heightened intimidation sometimes present in the post 911 1 period. Fox News
coaxed Glick to appear on The O'Reilly Factor after he signed an anti-war peti-
tion against "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan. Although it was less
than six months after Glick's father's death, Bill O'Reilly brought Glick on the
show, telling him repeatedly to "shut up," and physically threatening him with
violence after Glick argued that the U.S. was killing innocent civilians in Af-
ghanistan. On air, O'Reilly condemned Glick for spewing "vile propaganda"
and for having "a warped view of this world and a warped view of this coun-
try."67 Glick's position, which implicated the U.S. with supporting Islamist ter-
rorists during the Soviet Union's war in Afghanistan, was too critical for
O'Reilly to tolerate, as he cut Glick's microphone in mid-message. This would
not be the last time O'Reilly would cut the microphone of a guest with whom he
disagreed.

A Pattern of Firings

Intimidation of anti-war figures is furthered by the firing of those who rigor-
ously challenge official statements and propaganda. Such firings sometimes
include even proponents of the war who make occasional criticisms of those in
power. Bill Maher is a case in point. The former host of the late night political
talk show Politically Incorrect, Maher was known for his strong pro-war stance
in the Afghan war, which he regarded as vital in fighting Islamist terror of
groups like A1 Qaeda. His lack of concern with civilian casualties in the conflict
was expressed on many occasions after 911 1. Active disregard for civilians did
not lead to any sort of reprimand by ABC, the carrier of Politically Incorrect. It
was not until he became somewhat critical of the Bush administration's use of
aerial bombing that Maher became a liability for ABC. Responding to the argu-
ment that the terrorists behind the 911 1 attacks were "cowards" Maher claimed:
"We [the U.S.] have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles
away. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about
it, it's not cowardly."68 By firing Maher, ABC sent a message to others through-
out the press that criticisms of the heroism of American forces are not a legiti-
mate part of the wartime debate.
Other media personalities with consistent records of anti-war criticism had
similar problems keeping their jobs in the mainstream press. Phil Donahue's
talk show on MSNBC was cancelled, although it was the highest rated program
on the network's line up. An internal report unearthed in early 2003 explained a
great deal about the mindset of MSNBC executives at the time they cancelled
Donahue. The report framed Donahue as a major problem for the network in the
run-up to war, as he represented a "difficult public face for NBC in a time of
war," appearing to "delight in presenting guests who are anti-war, anti-Bush
and skeptical of the administration's motives."69 Jeff Cohen, FAIR founder and
Senior Producer for the Donahue Show, recounts his experiences with
MShBC's efforts to limit the public exposure of those attacking the war effort: