the Sugar Conspiracy

Monday, June 30, 2003

Now they're just asking for complicity

Attorney General John Ashcroft called on the press and television today to dispel fears about the sweeping antiterrorism law known as the U.S.A. Patriot Act, which was enacted after the attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Addressing two dozen editors, publishers, television executives and others, Mr. Ashcroft said, "We need the help of the news industry, the fourth estate, to inform citizens about the constitutional tools and methods being used in the war against terror. We need the media's help, for instance, in portraying accurately the U.S.A. Patriot Act."

See, here's the thing: Despite the fanatical flag-waving the mass media was doing during the attack on Iraq, they're actually not supposed to be the government's public relations service. The media, if it's doing it's job, is given the task of reporting on and investigating the government, not simply being a mouthpiece for gov't propaganda. Of course, if you look at the reality of it, the same corporate interests that control the media also influence the gov't. So it's no suprise that Ashcroft would ask the media to do this. It's just insulting that it's this blatant.

Thanks, Jason.

posted by chris at 9:23 PM
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