"Good Night, Good Luck and al-Jezeera"

The following quotes have been excerpted from an article written by Dorrence Smith and carried in the November 4th issue of The Wall Street Journal.

"On April 11, Jeffrey Ake, an American, was taken hostage in Iraq. Video of him in captivity was shown on al-Jazeera on April 13. A short time later six American networks--ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CNN and MSNBC--aired the same video, a vivid example of the ongoing relationship between terrorists, al-Jazeera and the networks."

This is an example of the networks using whatever footage is available, should they choose to use it. This is not a vivid example of anything!

"Last week, al-Jazeera showed video of a helicopter being shot, bursting into flames and trailing smoke as it fell to the ground. It also aired video of the lone survivor being forced to walk on a broken leg and then being shot by the terrorists, one of whom said, "We are applying God's law."

As the war continues, more hostages will be taken and acts of murderous violence committed--leading to more videos for al-Jazeera and the networks. Isn't it time to scrutinize the relationship among al-Jazeera, American networks and the terrorists? What role should the U.S. government be playing".

I have NEVER, not for one moment, been a journalist, (whatever that means). I have however been involved in "the media" for almost 50 years, (whatever that means).

I did work for CBS in the late 60's and among my responsibilities was selling the output of CBS News to any overseas broadcaster that chose to buy it. They used what they wanted, whenever they wanted to use it. They commented on it as they saw fit. Major overseas broadcasters sought to be in the same business and sell the news-film coverage they had throughout the world as well.

I do not understand why the US news organizations should not access coverage from wherever they choose, including al-Jazeeera

I find it difficult to understand how Dorrence Smith could make the following assertion:

"Isn't it time to scrutinize the relationship among al-Jazeera, American networks and the terrorists? What role should the U.S. government be playing?"

Who will scrutinize the networks?

"?Scrutinize??" Have Joe McCarthy or Richard Nixon returned in order to be critical of the media? Even to suggest any sort of external oversight to network news is an abomination.

"?What role should the U.S. government be playing?"

HOW ABOUT NONE.

The American networks are doing exactly what they should be doing, which is to air content from al-Jazeera or the BBC, or the German networks, or whomever they choose.

Why should it be OK for a U.S. network to report about American fighter/bombers dropping "precision bombs" on a SUSPECTED insurgent house if the footage used came from the BBC or al-Jazeera?

Broadcast or cable news coverage should be whatever the broadcaster or cable originator chooses. This type of coverage has defined our freedom for the longest time. News organizations, and their management should perform oversight on their content, but most certainly the government should stay out of it.

I would suggest that The Wall Street Journal send Dorrence Smith on a long paid vacation along with a copy of our Constitution, and have him re-write this piece when he returns.

Norman Horowitz

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