| | Things came to a boil on the Somali/Ethiopian border last week, and today it became official. At a glance, both sides seem to be lying through their teeth about the situation, gilding their own feathers while downplaying the enemy.
It's interesting to read about, if for nothing else then as a counterpoint to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, which, while still suffering from some spin, seems a haven of free information in comparison. Is that because there are so many more reporters covering Iraq, or because journalists are able to demand more information without fear of reprisals? Perhaps both.
I watched an episode of Stargate SG1 today that really resonated with me. Episode 18 of season 7 (second part of a two-parter. You should probably check out part one too), the one with the journalist doing a documentary on the program. Which of course won't mean jack if you don't watch the show, but anyway. There's a monologue the journalist has that I found really powerful, and it goes well with what has been on my mind all day:
"Why is that camera off? You don't know what you're doing here, maybe I know what I'm doing here! These people are risking their lives for us. I want to see what they're are going through, even if they don't want us to. And I want other people to see it. What do you think they're doing out there, protecting and defending? Secretly? That's the world of Mao, the world of Stalin, the world of secret police, secret trials, secret deaths.
You force the press into the cold and all you will get is lies and innuendo. And nothing, nothing is worse for a free society than a press that is in service to the military and the politicians. Nothing. You turn that camera off when I tell you to turn it off.
You think I give a damn about what you think about me? You serve the people? So do I!"
Merry Christmas to you.
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| | Posted 12/25/2006 2:12 AM - 31 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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