Thank you for this powerful piece. You covered some of the most important points the media needs to hear right now. I can still remember when the news was taken seriously, when journalists were trusted because they didn’t let themselves be used or manipulated, and when profit didn’t come before integrity. It’s heartbreaking to see how far we’ve drifted from that, but your words are a step in the right direction. I hope the right people are listening.
Ten years ago, I worked in a trauma ER in a California hospital. Many doctors and nurses will tell you that publishing the harsh realities of traumatic bodily injuries can promote understanding and empathy towards those affected by traumatic events.
Ethical considerations: blur faces, only show graphic images from a distance, and put a special notice before broadcasting.
Once again, Mark, this government (its leadership anyway) professes to act in a way that perpetuates the biggest lie of all. That all this scandalous behavior is done on “my behalf”. The list of grievances regarding such decisions goes back as far as I can remember. The Viet Nam War (see Ken Burns documentary), Iran-Contra, Watergate, and yes the Shah of Iran story, just to name a few have always had the US leadership imagining that what is being done is for a “greater good”. Whatever that means for them and their agenda(s). The media coverage, yet again, was mute for the most part with this latest story. Was this not relevant enough to interrupt scheduled programming? Was it partly due to its controversial nature being such that the weekend execution of these “orders” wouldn’t receive the full coverage otherwise? ABC was the only (of the 3 major news outlets) source discussing this, and it took a couple hours for others to follow. I was reminded of the significant story (I thought so anyway) of former president Biden and vice president Harris greeting released hostages from Russia. (A hostage exchange story/Aug. 2024) The families were ecstatic with joy upon seeing their loved ones again. A GOOD story for a change. And, really highlighted the character of our leadership then. Media (Live) coverage at the time? Nothing… (again I’m referring to the 3 main news sources here). Some foreign source had it covered. That figures. And, these “foreign” sources know better than to “sugar-coat” war atrocities. As you alluded to, Mark. Their experience reveals the “Hell” that war is. And, it’s not to be treated lightly. EVER! It is a consequence of failure on the part of humanity after all.
Thank you Mark: Very informative and spot on. Yes Trump is champing at the bit, he wants to remove all the American folks personal freedoms. Total control of the populace is he game.
Thank YOU SO MUCH for that very HELPFUL Reminder about war and how media covers it. As a reader/listener; I will plan to boycott ignore outlets that do the romanticizing of war. Thank You.
One of the greatet flaws of being a journalist in the middle of a war is not knowing the bigger picture, not take a breath and considering the context so your next story is about more than the carnage. I've covered five wars and numerous uprisings and crises and only in one --- the beginning of the intifada in Israel - did I have the time and the support to lay out the bigger picture. The reasons for the deficit of such reporting are many. You produce daily. Your desk back home doesn't see what you see. You are alone in a tornado of things happening and you struggle to add the parts together. Sometimes you can, but often it is beyond your capacity. So, what makes a difference? Curiosity, persistence, imagination, street smarts, patience and greater people on the other end of the phone. With the vast decline in the ranks of foreign correspondents today in the U.S. and around the world, we need more the best reporting from the ranks of the very few.
Everything Donald says is a lie…no matter the subject, this turns out to be the case. How anyone can stand this idiot, much less elect him president is a mystery to me…such that I actually want to leave this stupid country now.
Mark, your mention of checks and balances is what I'm most concerned about, followed closely by the media management and ownership involvement in sound editorial decision-making.
Thanks for this excellent piece, Mark. Just watched a clip of Joni Ernst saying how proud she is of this action and calling us Team America. Blech. I hate the rah-rah glorification of violence. Even the most necessary and honorable military action should be treated as a sober and awful thing, not a celebration of our so-called awesomeness.
Through all this the media often still has polling mind, asking about the effectiveness and the popularity of actions like these strikes while ignoring the many innocent people whose lives are either taken away or destroyed by our "warfighters."
Thank you for this powerful piece. You covered some of the most important points the media needs to hear right now. I can still remember when the news was taken seriously, when journalists were trusted because they didn’t let themselves be used or manipulated, and when profit didn’t come before integrity. It’s heartbreaking to see how far we’ve drifted from that, but your words are a step in the right direction. I hope the right people are listening.
Thank you, Mark.
In case we haven't mentioned it recently, Mark Jacob, you're a really good writer.
Ten years ago, I worked in a trauma ER in a California hospital. Many doctors and nurses will tell you that publishing the harsh realities of traumatic bodily injuries can promote understanding and empathy towards those affected by traumatic events.
Ethical considerations: blur faces, only show graphic images from a distance, and put a special notice before broadcasting.
* The exception being Sandy Hook. We in the healthcare industry call that “pink mist”.
Beautiful 🙏🏻
Once again, Mark, this government (its leadership anyway) professes to act in a way that perpetuates the biggest lie of all. That all this scandalous behavior is done on “my behalf”. The list of grievances regarding such decisions goes back as far as I can remember. The Viet Nam War (see Ken Burns documentary), Iran-Contra, Watergate, and yes the Shah of Iran story, just to name a few have always had the US leadership imagining that what is being done is for a “greater good”. Whatever that means for them and their agenda(s). The media coverage, yet again, was mute for the most part with this latest story. Was this not relevant enough to interrupt scheduled programming? Was it partly due to its controversial nature being such that the weekend execution of these “orders” wouldn’t receive the full coverage otherwise? ABC was the only (of the 3 major news outlets) source discussing this, and it took a couple hours for others to follow. I was reminded of the significant story (I thought so anyway) of former president Biden and vice president Harris greeting released hostages from Russia. (A hostage exchange story/Aug. 2024) The families were ecstatic with joy upon seeing their loved ones again. A GOOD story for a change. And, really highlighted the character of our leadership then. Media (Live) coverage at the time? Nothing… (again I’m referring to the 3 main news sources here). Some foreign source had it covered. That figures. And, these “foreign” sources know better than to “sugar-coat” war atrocities. As you alluded to, Mark. Their experience reveals the “Hell” that war is. And, it’s not to be treated lightly. EVER! It is a consequence of failure on the part of humanity after all.
I'm not sure corporate press/media is capable of following any of the eight points. Thank goodness for independent press/media.
We should all keep in mind the truism that the first casualty of war is the truth.
Thank you Mark: Very informative and spot on. Yes Trump is champing at the bit, he wants to remove all the American folks personal freedoms. Total control of the populace is he game.
Thank YOU SO MUCH for that very HELPFUL Reminder about war and how media covers it. As a reader/listener; I will plan to boycott ignore outlets that do the romanticizing of war. Thank You.
One of the greatet flaws of being a journalist in the middle of a war is not knowing the bigger picture, not take a breath and considering the context so your next story is about more than the carnage. I've covered five wars and numerous uprisings and crises and only in one --- the beginning of the intifada in Israel - did I have the time and the support to lay out the bigger picture. The reasons for the deficit of such reporting are many. You produce daily. Your desk back home doesn't see what you see. You are alone in a tornado of things happening and you struggle to add the parts together. Sometimes you can, but often it is beyond your capacity. So, what makes a difference? Curiosity, persistence, imagination, street smarts, patience and greater people on the other end of the phone. With the vast decline in the ranks of foreign correspondents today in the U.S. and around the world, we need more the best reporting from the ranks of the very few.
Very well said Mark. I would add that the consistency of opinion is terrifying. When CNN agrees with Fox, you know we're in trouble
Everything Donald says is a lie…no matter the subject, this turns out to be the case. How anyone can stand this idiot, much less elect him president is a mystery to me…such that I actually want to leave this stupid country now.
Mark, your mention of checks and balances is what I'm most concerned about, followed closely by the media management and ownership involvement in sound editorial decision-making.
Well done. If only mainstream media was already good at doing the things you suggest and avoiding the rest. But they are not.
Thanks for this excellent piece, Mark. Just watched a clip of Joni Ernst saying how proud she is of this action and calling us Team America. Blech. I hate the rah-rah glorification of violence. Even the most necessary and honorable military action should be treated as a sober and awful thing, not a celebration of our so-called awesomeness.
Through all this the media often still has polling mind, asking about the effectiveness and the popularity of actions like these strikes while ignoring the many innocent people whose lives are either taken away or destroyed by our "warfighters."