CNN reporters expelled from Baghdad....

[MrsSkywalker]

Well, I shouldn't be surprised, but I am a little confused.

http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/2055849/detail.html

What would be the benefit in this for Iraq? To help with the "we're really not losing the war" spin?

Oh well. We still have reporters with the troops. I would LOVE to see Saddam try and expell them! :)

[Sharkfood]

There are still tons of other reporters for other affiliates in Baghdad..

Actually, I think this is the only decision from the Iraqi government that I support. The few times I've flipped to CNN, I've had to switch the channel in disgust as they are SO far off base and SO totally wrong in their commentary that it's almost criminal.

Examples-
FOX, CNN, NBC, CBS and dozens of others have been invited to travel along with the Army's 3rd Infantry division in their progression north to Baghdad from Kuwait.. and bring cameras. Flipping between the channels, with almost identical feeds with the exception of the different stations are in different positions in the convoy , I've noted the following:

1) CNN reporters have artificially "jumped the gun" to make drama from normal occurances. When the convoy stops (after traveling for like 4+ hours), and you can see soldiers climbing out of the tanks/vehicles, taking off their helmets and moving around, the CNN report is "HOLD IT. WE HAVE STOPPED. RESISTANCE MUST HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED. SOLDIERS ARE TAKING COVER. ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE. THERE MUST BE ENEMY UNITS CLOSE BY!".. Flip the channel to the other stations, the exact same events are reported as "We have stopped, but since the commanders are climbing out in the open and taking off gear, it appears to be a rest stop. These tanks are pretty cramped and it's important to let the guys out to stretch and relax every few hours of travel. Yep, yep- I think we will take this opportunity to climb out and stretch ourselves."

2) At the city of Baghdad when the first big wave this morning rang through, the commentary on CNN was: "THESE ARE USELESS TARGETS! The presidential palace, defense ministry building, government offices are all closed. The ONLY thing US can gain by bombing these buildings is possibly killing a janitor or cleaning people at 1AM in the morning. They are obviously closed for business." Other stations, same events: "These bombs might possibly be to shutdown organization points for a later date. Not to mention it is well known that Sadamm has underground bunkers and our military uses their bunker-buster bombs, which can knock out underground passages and bomb shelters where officials may be hiding underneath government constructed buildings."

3) Last night when the the chopper crashed, CNN reported 12 Americans and 4 British were killed by "A CHOPPER SHOT DOWN BEHIND ENEMY LINES BY ENEMY FIRE." which was not only wrong on numbers, but also wrong on facts as the investigation isn't completed AND the chopper crashed inside Kuwait.

4) They have constantly mislabeled video incorrectly. Obvious shots of F16's leaving a carrier deck are being called "B-52 Bombers taking off for bombing missions" etc.etc.

I might just be getting lucky on timing, but EVERY time I've flipped to CNN during this war, they have just provided laughable at best coverage from some of the most stupid, ill-thinking people in the business. The bottom line is- people this stupid really should NOT be filling time with commentary.

Iraq just scored positive points in my book with this latest move. I think I'd trust Al Jazeera feeds over CNN feeds this time. At least Al Jazeera will have some basis behind their commentary... even if it may be biased, it will at least make sense. :)

[MrsSkywalker]

Actually, I think this is the only decision from the Iraqi government that I support. The few times I've flipped to CNN, I've had to switch the channel in disgust as they are SO far off base and SO totally wrong in their commentary that it's almost criminal.

:lol: I agree. We're in a war. Is there any need to further dramatize anything?

[kyleb]

well i argue that point war or no war. :P

[archie4oz]

Obvious shots of F16's leaving a carrier deck are being called "B-52 Bombers taking off for bombing missions" etc.etc.

I don't imagine F-16's flying off a carrier either though... (although it'd be pretty interesting to watch the undercarriage try to handle flight deck duty)

[Vince]

Or how the American 7th Calvary has been "stopped" due to stiff resistence in Basra. What's even worse than CNN, I was reading the paper last night/early this morning and couldn't believe that they're saying the 7th Calv. has been stopped as if they were fought to a hault.

They could take that damn city in no time, but to what end when the Iraqi's will surrender sparing the population? If anything, this war is more like a full out route - where they get this stuff amazes me.

Saw CNN earlier and they were reporting that the Iraqi's hit an Allied vehical with an RPG. I was shocked that this got media coverage, I mean is it really news that an Iraqi actually fired at us? And it's a damn RPG, give me a break.

I don't imagine F-16's flying off a carrier either though... (although it'd be pretty interesting to watch the undercarriage try to handle flight deck duty)

Actually, there is a F-16N (I think it's used for agressor roles):) But I think he means the F/A-18, no?

[Sharkfood]

[quote[But I think he means the F/A-18, no?[/quote]

Actually good points on the F16. It seems other stations with the same night-vision, low-res crap live video images mislabeled the same bit of video as these were indeed likely F16's or other Airforce craft. They had a single engine versus twin like the FA-18/F-14's. The video feeds were likely a very busy ground base in Kuwait rather than a carrier deck, with tight packed aircraft traffic around a few guys directing them around to quick take offs.

Video quality is horrible on most of these night-time, video-phone feeds the AP is receiving, but definately not horrible enough to confuse a B-52 with a one seater jet fighter. :)