Celebrating the Fourth and Protesting the G8

Analysis:

This is an example of how news sources use the transition phrase “meanwhile” to link two different stories, regardless of any actual connection. In this particular piece, the first, and longest part of the story consists of troops in Iraq celebrating the Fourth of July with music, games and food. While not conveying any meaningful information about the situation in Iraq, this story does present positive images of US soldiers which the viewer is likely to sympathize with. The story than transitions to Bush giving a speech in West Virginia. After playing a short clip of Bush’s speech, the newsreader then uses “meanwhile” to introduce a few lines about the protests in Scotland. The protests are framed as a statement against President Bush and the G8. While the story does not mention what the protesters are demanding nor how many there are, the viewer is told how many police are on hand to control them. The viewer is also told that that the G8 leaders will be talking about “eliminating poverty and cleaning up the environment.” Due to the lack of information provided about the protesters and the way that this story is framed within a longer piece that is rather sympathetic to US troop sand President Bush, it is likely that this piece may prejudice viewers against the thousands of people protesting at the G8 summit.

Story:

WZZM 13 Newsanchor – ABC’s David Kerley reports from Bagdhad.

Reporter – Some of the T-Patchers, Texas troops, were dancing. The volleyball was intense. The blender was whipping up non-alcoholic drinks, and they said the BBQ was “tasty.”

Reporter – It’s not like this everyday is it?

Soldier – Negative, haha.

Reporter – This wasn’t American Idol tryouts, just a little karaoke for the American 4th of July celebration. So it’s an All-American 4th of July with hot dogs, hamburgers, and horseshoes, but the real morale booster is the swimming pool.

Soldier #2 – Of course the pool’s the best part! Being around with everyone else is a good part too.

Reporter – These soldiers at Camp Slayer donated and volunteered to get this pool open, right in the middle of one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. Combat boots were replaced, in some cases, with bikinis.

Soldier #3: Any day that we can come out here and do this kinda stuff is Fourth of July…it really is.

Reporter – For many of these soldiers, Americans Declaration nearly 230 years ago has meaning here.

Soldier #4 – Our independence…I have a flag in my room; it says “Fourth of July”…it’s great to be, it’s great to be an American.

Soldier #5 – It really mattered to you, the whole freedom, the whole everything. And what we’re doing here is a special moment, but it’s still nice to just take a deep breath every once in a while and, you know, slow down the rat race a little bit here.

Reporter – A welcome break, as these Americans celebrate an All-American holiday and the ideals many are fighting for. David Kerley, ABC News, Baghdad.

Newsreader – President Bush spent the 4th of July at the University of West Virginia. He asked Americans to support the troops and once again said, the US will come out on top in the War on Terror.

Bush – They continue to kill in the hope that they will break the resolve of the American people, but they will fail.

Newsreader – Again, that was the Pres. at West Virginia University. Meanwhile in Scotland, protesters were already acting out against Pres. Bush and the other G8 Leaders who will arrive there on Wednesday. About 10,000 officers will be policing the G8 event, where world leaders will talk about eliminating poverty and cleaning up the environment.

Total Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds