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A Special BuzzFlash Media Watch
by Gloria R. Lalumia
"Washington Week in Review" for February 7, 2003: Sins of Omission
All day I've been tracking the story of the sham Iraq dossier used by Colin Powell as evidence in his UN presentation. ABC, a brief mention; MSNBC; UPI; AP; Reuters picked it up to varying degrees.
So for sure I thought I'd hear some in-depth analysis of this incredible story on the venerable PBS program Washington Week in Review.
But I heard nothing.
By 7:10 I had heard ABC reporter Martha Raddatz call Powell's speech" powerful." I waited for her to launch into a report on how his credibility would be damaged by the dossier. But I heard nothing.
Instead I heard Raddatz declare her admiration for Powell's "precise" language regarding an Iraq/Al-Qaeda link. Doyle McManus of the L.A. Times chimed in by saying that "it's the link to terrorists that means you can't wait on Saddam, " completely ignoring the fact that the BBC has just debunked this supposed link. I also heard Jeff Birnbaum, who slums at FOX News, bringing up the extension of the Patriot Act leaked today by the Justice Department. Brought up and quickly glossed over, literally in a couple of sentences.
Then it was back to Powell and how Europe used to think he was their friend. Raddatz opined that Powell is "Mr. Popularity" here in the US, with higher approval ratings than anyone, and that he is the perfect messenger. Another perfect time to discuss the dossier! But nothing.
Forget the February 14 UN report. Look for an ultimatum before then, said Mr. McManus. I concluded that it's obvious that Mr. Blix won't be allowed to report anything positive.
7:15. Birnbaum is asking if Saddam is watching TV. Still no mention of the dossier.
The discussion moves on to the budget. I go to the PBS website and write an email to Washington Week in Review. I ask, "Since your budget has already been cut by the Bush administration, why not stop covering for it and actually work for the American people?"
I'm sure I'll receive a "form email response" which will tell me.....nothing.
A SPECIAL GLORIA LALUMIA BUZZFLASH MEDIA WATCH
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© 2003, Gloria R. Lalumia, insight@zianet.com
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