Page 291 - Mass Media, Mass Propoganda Examining American News in the War on Terror

A Game Plan for Infinite War? 28 1

leaders of "enemy" states long considered dead-set on holding the American
people hostage with weapons of mass de~truction.~ The double standard is evi-
dent: U.S. possession of nuclear weapons and other weapons is considered nec-
essary to promote stability and security throughout the world. Questioning the
United States' "responsible" possession of WMD is usually considered a taboo
topic altogether. American allies are accorded the same "right" to be trusted
with WMD; conversely, enemy nations must heed administration warnings, as
their possession of the same weapons incite fear, anger, and apprehension
amongst Western leaders who "responsibly" possess, and "reluctantly" use, such
weapons against both civilian and military forces.
The countries grouped together as part of the WMD-holding, "terrorist sup-
porting" "Axis of Evil" are very similar in how they are treated in the American
mainstream media. While these countries are rendered as a serious menace to
the national security of the U.S. and its allies, in each case, there is mounting
evidence questioning whether these countries really pose an immediate threat
that would warrant a legally sanctioned pre-emptive attack. The highlighting of
fabricated threats has not been a priority in American reporting and editorials.
It is not the case that evidence critical of the administration's WMD rhetoric
has never materialized in mainstream reporting.7 Such reporting, however, has
not led major media sources to actively challenge the theory that "enemy" re-
gimes pose a security threat to the U.S. This pattern of passivity and complicity
was evident in WMD reporting in the lead-up to war in Iraq, when occasional
evidence questioning whether Iraq was a threat did materialize, but did not cause
most media outlets to systematically challenge the idea that Iraq was a danger to
the United States.
The countries listed as part of the "Axis of Evil" are also similar in that the
claims leveled against them have often been heavy on incendiary rhetoric, but
light on substantive evidence. As with Iraq, vague conjecture about "emerging
terrorist threats" is often considered enough for reporters and media outlets to
group these countries together as a danger to U.S. citizens. Reporters and editors
are encouraged not to "put their own views" into reporting by questioning such
charges, as that would violate the professional standard prohibiting the challenge
of the official reasons given war. As a result, official sources are considered
adequate primary sources for reporters when they are filing news stories about
Wh4D "threats."

Syria Graduates into the "Axis of Evil"

By classifymg Syria as a "junior partner in the 'Axis of Evil,"' former Secretary
of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has portrayed the government of Bashar Assad as
intent on developing weapons of mass destruction (if he did not already possess
them), and fomenting ties with Islamist groups like A1 Qaeda, in order to disrupt
American operations in occupied Iraq. These claims received a sympathetic ear
in media reporting. American political leaders publicly indicate their preference
for the overthrow of the Syrian regime, as Congress's authorization of the Syria