Soldier Sentenced

Analysis:

Both these stories about the sentencing of a US soldier for her role in the torture of Iraqi prisoners were short running only 24 on WOOD TV 8 and 26 seconds on WXMI Fox 17. In both cases they mention that Private England claimed that she was only doing what her soldier boyfriend asked her to do. Both stories mentioned that she received a 3 year sentence, but only Fox 17 ran some of the photos from the Abu Ghraib prison where the abuses took place, one of which is included here.

Several things are missing in the coverage of this crime case. First, while Fox 17 did show two of the now known photos from Abu Ghraib, the coverage didn’t provide any specifics about the torture. Second, both news stories cite Private England’s response in the courtroom, but neither of them provide commentary from the court on why she was found guilty of 6 of the 7 charges. Third, 3 days before the sentencing Human Rights Watch published a new report on the widespread Iraqi prisoner abuse at a US military base near Fallujah in 2003 & 2004. The report says “U.S. Army troops subjected Iraqi detainees to severe beatings and other torture at a base in central Iraq from 2003 through 2004, often under orders or with the approval of superior officers.” This information is quite relevant in that it provides a larger context to the issue of US military use of torture in Iraq and how widespread it is. Lastly, there was no coverage in the local news of a US judge’s decision to have the government release all “87 photographs and four videotapes as part of an October 2003 lawsuit demanding information on the treatment of detainees in US custody and the transfer of prisoners to countries known to use torture,” according to an AP story on September 29. Readers could ask themselves to what degree is the media obligated to report on human rights abuses committed by its own government?

Story:

WOOD TV 8 News reader – Well she said she was only trying to please her soldier boyfriend when she took part in prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison. Well now Lynndie England will serve three years for her crimes. England’s sentencing wrapped up the last of nine court martials of lower level soldiers charged in that abuse scandal. England, the most recognizable reservist charged after graphic abuse photos became public. Lynndie was convicted yesterday on 6 of the 7 counts against her.

Total Time: 26 seconds

WXMI 17 News reader – A US soldier is sentenced tonight for abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. A military just decided Army Private First Class, Lynndie England will spend three years behind bars for her role. England said she posed in the notorious abuse photos at the urging of her soldier boy friend, whom she trusted. England’s sentencing wraps up the last of nine court martials of low level soldiers charged in the abuse scandal.

Total Time: 24 seconds