Newspaper War Coverage
| By Jim and Diane Schrack - Aug 3rd, 2006 at 10:29 pm EDT |
| Also listed in: The Question Alliance |
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Categories: Equality / Civil Rights, Civil Liberties / Privacy, Peace & Social Justice, Foreign Policy & Security, Economic Fairness & Security, Environment / Conservation, Effective & Ethical Government, Education, Separation of Powers / Federalism, Media Accountability, Crime & Penal Reform, Budget Priorities
Categories: Equality / Civil Rights, Civil Liberties / Privacy, Peace & Social Justice, Foreign Policy & Security, Economic Fairness & Security, Environment / Conservation, Effective & Ethical Government, Education, Separation of Powers / Federalism, Media Accountability, Crime & Penal Reform, Budget Priorities
We sent the following letter to The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News along with petition signatures from over 800 concerned Colorado citizens addressing the need for more prominent, front-page, detailed news and information about the Iraq War and its consequences. We know that there are many other questions that need to be answered. So please contact the newspapers (The Denver Post at newsroom@denverpost.com and The Rocky Mountain News at letters@RockyMountainNews.com) and ask them to respond. We also asked for the daily notation of the war's death and injury numbers on the front pages of the papers in order to acknowledge and honor the sacrifices of our countrymen and women, their families, and friends. We are hoping The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News will be brave enough to work harder at fulfilling their public duty. Thank you for your time.
James and Diane Schrack
10170 Charissglen Lane
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
720-344-7696
2 August, 2006
Mr. Gregory Moore
The Denver Post
1560 Broadway
Denver, CO 80202
Mr. John Temple
Rocky Mountain News
100 Gene Amole Way
Denver, CO 80204
Dear Mr. Moore and Mr. Temple:
Newspapers matter. What newspapers report on or fail to report on matters even more.
When The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News exercise their First Amendment right of freedom of the press, they assume an underlying responsibility to fulfill the public's trust by upholding the accuracy and totality of their coverage. In this sense, newspapers are a true public service.
Newspapers impact history by spreading information about our communities, society, and the world. They help produce knowledgeable and informed citizens who can then more ably participate in life. When newspapers fall short, whether by choice or in response to pressure, the public trust is compromised--an offense that is particularly egregious during wartime.
It has become disappointingly clear that The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News failed in investigating events leading up to the Iraq War. There is no excuse now for the lack of depth in reporting the numerous consequences of the war. The public deserves fully researched and all-encompassing stories about the present and future effects of the Iraq War. The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News have an enormous responsibility to the public. We present to you here over eight hundred of your readers from all over the state of Colorado asking you to be brave for us.
Your newspaper public wants thoroughly investigated and detailed information about the Iraq War concerning questions and issues such as:
Which domestic programs are being cut due to the cost of the war? Are domestic programs dealing with public safety and homeland security, education, the environment, alternative energy sources, health and scientific research being jeopardized due to the diversion of funds to support the war? How might these decisions affect future generations?
What are the costs and consequences of our nation's debt being transferred to future generations? How does the $1.5 billion spent on the war each week compare to other government expenditures?
Which companies have benefited from contracts with the U.S. in Iraq? How is the public's money being spent in support of the war? Who is profiting illegitimately from those contracts? What are the specific abuses and are they ongoing? Which government officials made the hiring decisions? What are the effects of the lack of U.S. Congressional oversight?
Please report on why 90% of the war costs have been authorized in supplemental appropriation bills or "emergency" funding, rather than included in the overall budget. What are the consequences of these actions?
What changes have occurred in regard to civil liberties and freedoms due to the Bush administration's claims of security and the war on terror? How do NSA activities, wiretapping, communication company cooperation, etc. affect the lives of individual citizens?
What is the real status of our military's ability to deal successfully with additional conflicts? We need detailed and thoughtful research into the potential consequences regarding difficult situations such as those present in North Korea, Iran, and other trouble spots in the Middle East and around the world.
Please work to provide us with more information about U.S. rendition flights and secret prisons.
What are the impacts of the Bush administration and military's mistakes on death and injury statistics for soldiers?
Are all veterans getting the care they need? Are veterans' programs properly funded? Which programs are in jeopardy and how might that affect Iraq War veterans' futures?
What are the potential numbers of and future costs for soldiers who have been injured and will require long-term or even lifetime care? Where are the stories that show the overall volume and impact of such injuries on our soldiers and their families? What do their futures honestly look like?
Has the military been perfectly honest about recruitment and retention of soldiers? Are the incentives ethical? Have any forms of coercion been involved? Has the quality of future military personnel and officers been degraded due to recruitment problems? Has U.S. troop readiness changed in any way? What about the mental health consequences for our soldiers due to multiple or extended deployments? Has anyone made an honest assessment of troop morale?
What are the details about Iraq oil production and the security of oil facilities in Iraq? When will those facilities become fully functional? Which U.S. companies fit into the picture and how? What is the status of other reconstruction projects? What are the most recent statistics on Iraqi citizens' access to electricity and other basic services?
What is the economic impact of many of Iraq's educated middle-class citizens leaving the country for security reasons? How has this phenomenon affected other societies in similar situations?
How has the daily violence affected individual Iraqi citizens? Has this led to an increase in violence or weapons trade among young members of that society? In what ways has the war affected Iraqi youth? What are the unemployment statistics in Iraq and how does that situation influence the lives of citizens and the economy in Iraq?
Where are the legitimate estimates of Iraqi citizen deaths and injuries? How are Iraqi health facilities handling the situation?
What are possible international consequences to our damaged reputation and credibility as a world leader due to our unilateral actions in Iraq? How difficult might it be to repair relations with other nations? Has the war made a relationship with the U.S. a liability for other countries? Are other Arab nations no longer finding it necessary to pay attention to the U.S.? Have Bush administration and U.S. military policies demonstrated an understanding of Iraqi and Middle-Eastern culture? Is there evidence that Arab and Muslim communities sense intolerance or racism on the part of the U.S.?
What is the evidence of terrorism spreading into other areas around the world because of our invasion and occupation of Iraq? Has the degree of anti-American sentiment changed? Is there evidence of U.S. policy producing more radical regimes abroad?
What has happened in other countries that have broken out in modern civil wars? How have those civil wars affected countries around them and around the world?
What are the consequences of permanent U.S. military bases being built in and around Iraq? What impact could that have on other countries in the region?
Have you communicated with international press agencies regarding these Iraq War issues? Do you find that these reports correspond to yours?
Tell us if the press is being hindered in reporting the real news about Iraq. What are the obstacles to reporting on the Iraq War? Does The Denver Post or Rocky Mountain News feel a need to demand better access?
The Iraq War has changed our nation, and we will live with its consequences for decades. Our newspapers must have the courage to tell us the whole truth -- whether the public or advertising companies are receptive to it or not. Both papers have touched on some of these issues, and reporting on them can indeed be a truly dangerous job, but failing to tell the whole story--in each and every detail -- lets our country down. Sometimes one story on a particular issue isn't enough to educate your readers fully -- please give us more. We're not asking you to be partisan; we simply want the facts. Our democracy depends on newspapers.
Please tell us the number of U.S. and Iraqi deaths and injuries on the front-page every day. This is a war of choice and we need to be constantly reminded of the sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen and women, their families, and friends.
Inform us about the consequences of our nation's actions. We must make competent and deliberate decisions about our lives, our country, and our world. News about the Iraq War deserves more front-page, above-the-fold prominence. We rely on you, so please fulfill this important public duty for us.
Respectfully yours,
James L. Schrack
Diane M. Schrack
James and Diane Schrack
10170 Charissglen Lane
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
720-344-7696
2 August, 2006
Mr. Gregory Moore
The Denver Post
1560 Broadway
Denver, CO 80202
Mr. John Temple
Rocky Mountain News
100 Gene Amole Way
Denver, CO 80204
Dear Mr. Moore and Mr. Temple:
Newspapers matter. What newspapers report on or fail to report on matters even more.
When The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News exercise their First Amendment right of freedom of the press, they assume an underlying responsibility to fulfill the public's trust by upholding the accuracy and totality of their coverage. In this sense, newspapers are a true public service.
Newspapers impact history by spreading information about our communities, society, and the world. They help produce knowledgeable and informed citizens who can then more ably participate in life. When newspapers fall short, whether by choice or in response to pressure, the public trust is compromised--an offense that is particularly egregious during wartime.
It has become disappointingly clear that The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News failed in investigating events leading up to the Iraq War. There is no excuse now for the lack of depth in reporting the numerous consequences of the war. The public deserves fully researched and all-encompassing stories about the present and future effects of the Iraq War. The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News have an enormous responsibility to the public. We present to you here over eight hundred of your readers from all over the state of Colorado asking you to be brave for us.
Your newspaper public wants thoroughly investigated and detailed information about the Iraq War concerning questions and issues such as:
Which domestic programs are being cut due to the cost of the war? Are domestic programs dealing with public safety and homeland security, education, the environment, alternative energy sources, health and scientific research being jeopardized due to the diversion of funds to support the war? How might these decisions affect future generations?
What are the costs and consequences of our nation's debt being transferred to future generations? How does the $1.5 billion spent on the war each week compare to other government expenditures?
Which companies have benefited from contracts with the U.S. in Iraq? How is the public's money being spent in support of the war? Who is profiting illegitimately from those contracts? What are the specific abuses and are they ongoing? Which government officials made the hiring decisions? What are the effects of the lack of U.S. Congressional oversight?
Please report on why 90% of the war costs have been authorized in supplemental appropriation bills or "emergency" funding, rather than included in the overall budget. What are the consequences of these actions?
What changes have occurred in regard to civil liberties and freedoms due to the Bush administration's claims of security and the war on terror? How do NSA activities, wiretapping, communication company cooperation, etc. affect the lives of individual citizens?
What is the real status of our military's ability to deal successfully with additional conflicts? We need detailed and thoughtful research into the potential consequences regarding difficult situations such as those present in North Korea, Iran, and other trouble spots in the Middle East and around the world.
Please work to provide us with more information about U.S. rendition flights and secret prisons.
What are the impacts of the Bush administration and military's mistakes on death and injury statistics for soldiers?
Are all veterans getting the care they need? Are veterans' programs properly funded? Which programs are in jeopardy and how might that affect Iraq War veterans' futures?
What are the potential numbers of and future costs for soldiers who have been injured and will require long-term or even lifetime care? Where are the stories that show the overall volume and impact of such injuries on our soldiers and their families? What do their futures honestly look like?
Has the military been perfectly honest about recruitment and retention of soldiers? Are the incentives ethical? Have any forms of coercion been involved? Has the quality of future military personnel and officers been degraded due to recruitment problems? Has U.S. troop readiness changed in any way? What about the mental health consequences for our soldiers due to multiple or extended deployments? Has anyone made an honest assessment of troop morale?
What are the details about Iraq oil production and the security of oil facilities in Iraq? When will those facilities become fully functional? Which U.S. companies fit into the picture and how? What is the status of other reconstruction projects? What are the most recent statistics on Iraqi citizens' access to electricity and other basic services?
What is the economic impact of many of Iraq's educated middle-class citizens leaving the country for security reasons? How has this phenomenon affected other societies in similar situations?
How has the daily violence affected individual Iraqi citizens? Has this led to an increase in violence or weapons trade among young members of that society? In what ways has the war affected Iraqi youth? What are the unemployment statistics in Iraq and how does that situation influence the lives of citizens and the economy in Iraq?
Where are the legitimate estimates of Iraqi citizen deaths and injuries? How are Iraqi health facilities handling the situation?
What are possible international consequences to our damaged reputation and credibility as a world leader due to our unilateral actions in Iraq? How difficult might it be to repair relations with other nations? Has the war made a relationship with the U.S. a liability for other countries? Are other Arab nations no longer finding it necessary to pay attention to the U.S.? Have Bush administration and U.S. military policies demonstrated an understanding of Iraqi and Middle-Eastern culture? Is there evidence that Arab and Muslim communities sense intolerance or racism on the part of the U.S.?
What is the evidence of terrorism spreading into other areas around the world because of our invasion and occupation of Iraq? Has the degree of anti-American sentiment changed? Is there evidence of U.S. policy producing more radical regimes abroad?
What has happened in other countries that have broken out in modern civil wars? How have those civil wars affected countries around them and around the world?
What are the consequences of permanent U.S. military bases being built in and around Iraq? What impact could that have on other countries in the region?
Have you communicated with international press agencies regarding these Iraq War issues? Do you find that these reports correspond to yours?
Tell us if the press is being hindered in reporting the real news about Iraq. What are the obstacles to reporting on the Iraq War? Does The Denver Post or Rocky Mountain News feel a need to demand better access?
The Iraq War has changed our nation, and we will live with its consequences for decades. Our newspapers must have the courage to tell us the whole truth -- whether the public or advertising companies are receptive to it or not. Both papers have touched on some of these issues, and reporting on them can indeed be a truly dangerous job, but failing to tell the whole story--in each and every detail -- lets our country down. Sometimes one story on a particular issue isn't enough to educate your readers fully -- please give us more. We're not asking you to be partisan; we simply want the facts. Our democracy depends on newspapers.
Please tell us the number of U.S. and Iraqi deaths and injuries on the front-page every day. This is a war of choice and we need to be constantly reminded of the sacrifices made by our fellow countrymen and women, their families, and friends.
Inform us about the consequences of our nation's actions. We must make competent and deliberate decisions about our lives, our country, and our world. News about the Iraq War deserves more front-page, above-the-fold prominence. We rely on you, so please fulfill this important public duty for us.
Respectfully yours,
James L. Schrack
Diane M. Schrack
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