WZZM 13 offers “Talk Back” on Anti-war Vigil

Analysis:

In our studies on local media coverage of the Iraq war, we have noted that the local TV stations relied almost exclusively on official sources, government or military, for war reporting. These news outlets acted primarily as a conduit for official sources, rarely questioning or providing other perspectives, whether they are national or local. And yet, in the limited instances where the local media do report on a local event or action opposed to the war, great efforts are made to provide “balance” by including pro-war voices.

The coverage of yesterday’s national vigil to show support for Cindy Sheehan was no exception. While all three TV stations and the Grand Rapids Press covered the event, the coverage was superficial and lacked context. WZZM 13 ran a fairly lengthy piece in which they gave brief quotes from some of the organizers and participants of the vigil. After the piece ended, the newsreader stated: “Now that you’ve heard from the people who think that US forces should pull out of Iraq, we’d like to hear from those of you in support of the war. So you can call our talkback line at that number right there, 559-1302 and tell us why you think American military should stay in Iraq, we’ll listen to some of your responses at the end of tonight’s newscasts.” Some of these call-in responses were then played at the end of the broadcast.

Providing more than one perspective on an issue is one of the requirements of good journalism. And yet, it seems that the local media seem to hold to this standard only when reporting on voices or events that are critical of the war in Iraq, and not vice-versa. Stories and articles reporting on local soldiers and families, which make up a large percentage of the local news coverage of the Iraq war, almost never contain any perspectives critical of US government policy. In stories about unfolding events in Iraq, the voices presented are almost always governmental or military, and if an opposing voice is heard, it quite often is still coming from a “official” source, that is, an opposition voice within the government. Grass roots and citizen groups opposed to the war, while representing the concerns and opinions of large percentages of the American populace, are usually excluded, or if included, are juxtaposed with opposing voices.

Story:

News reader – A grieving Texas mother has become the focal point of the division in this country over the war in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan’s son died in Iraq and for the last twelve days she’s been holding a vigil outside President Bush’s ranch. She wants to talk to the president again and believes we should withdraw from Iraq now. She’s also accused the president of being a terrorist himself. Well tonight many are supporting Sheehan through vigils of their own, from this one in Washington DC to here in Holland and Grand Rapids. Tonight WZZM 13’s Kathy Reynolds has their story.

Reporter – In Monument park they light candles, one hundred strangers with only a feeling in common, a feeling of loss.

Diane Thole – Whether they’re wounded or coming home in a coffin, it’s just awful to hear.

Woman #2 – I just can’t comprehend what it must be like to lose a son or a daughter.

Reporter – this vigils one of more than fourteen hundred happening across the country, all in support of a woman they’ve never met.

Sheehan – this is a way that I can honor my son’s memory, by standing up and doing what I know is right too.

Reporter – Cindy Sheehan is a military mom whose son died in Iraq. She’s camping outside of President Bush’s Texas ranch.

Thole #1 – Cindy wants to meet with the President.

Man #2 – If I had my opportunity I’d be there with her.

Thole #1 – I relate to her like a sister.

Reporter – so many feel so close to Cindy, close to her message.

Woman #1 – She’s had a son in the military but she has always believed in peace. And that’s very much my own story.

Reporter – Diane Thole’s son is stationed near Baghdad.

Thole – this blue star means my son is still alive, you get a gold star when they die, and I’ve got a gold candle.

Reporter – Candles for strangers who have lost their lives and support for the families left behind. In Grand Rapids, Kathy Reynolds, WZZM 13 News.

Newsreader – Tonight’s nationwide vigils were organized by the political group Move on.org, a liberal advocacy group. Now that you’ve heard from the people who think that US forces should pull out of Iraq, we’d like to hear from those of you in support of the war. So you can call our talkback line at that number right there, 559-1302 and tell us why you think American military should stay in Iraq, we’ll listen to some of your responses at the end of tonight’s newscasts.