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Note to Mods - rant to follow, you may wish to move to some more obscure part of the forum...
Anyone who suspects the existence of a hidden agenda within the media that reflects an anti-military bias won't be surprised by the press offerings today (13 Jul):
Soldiers are drunks and drug users:
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Afghan/2007/07/13/pf-4335601.html
(failing to mention the fact that we're now doing massively increased drug testing and that the system is much more aware of such issues than in the past)
Military conspiracy to target innocent analyst:
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=746bfb9c-2430-4851-a7f2-5b200c086fa1
(failing to mention that this is a standard tactic used by large organizations in order to prepare their leadership to address questions from critics)
Military BSs the public regarding our role in Afghanistan:
http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070711_171700_11872
And the topper - Inner circle of secretive "advisors" plots to undermine civilian rule:
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/219106
Completely ignoring the truth as published by the Deputy Minister two days before:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=2372
Such hyperventilating, innuendo, inaccuracy and blatant half-truths hardly serve to fulfill the media's oft-stated role of educating the public. It appears that the bulk of the nation's mass media has already made up its mind regarding the military, Afghanistan and our soldiers. Those few who write positively about their experiences with the CF or, worse, in support of our efforts in Kandahar Province are derided as having become co-opted dupes of a sinister, secretive organization.
Public discourse deserves better than this. An educated debate is one thing, hyperbole is another. Many in the media seem to be hungering for a Vietnam-style confrontation between themselves and the military community. They appear almost desperate for a family of one of our fallen to denounce the mission in Afghanistan, leaping upon any hint of discontent or dissention as an example of a wider problem. The way CTV News website misquoted the Dawe family yesterday was almost breathtaking.
Poll after poll is taken with skewed questioning and questionable facts. "Unease with War Grows", "War Deaths Too High", "Support Wanes..." seem to be today's media mantra.
This is a plea to the media: do some basic research before you write. Try and learn what the various branches of the military do and which organizations are responsible for what. If using an "expert", at least point out how that "expert" is qualified to comment on defence issues and, more importantly, what political baggage the "expert" is carrying. There are very few real defence experts in Canada.
Finally, leave your prejudices at home: not all of us are high-school dropouts lured into the Army by promises of a free education or have been lied to by a predatory recruiting system. Aside, perhaps, from some diplomats and NGO personnel, soldiers on the ground in theatre have a much more comprehensive view of the issues facing Southern Afghanistan than any Canada-based pundit. Often, they have the education and academic background to bolster that first-hand knowledge. It's unfortunate that you appear unable to acknowledge this.
Anyone who suspects the existence of a hidden agenda within the media that reflects an anti-military bias won't be surprised by the press offerings today (13 Jul):
Soldiers are drunks and drug users:
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Afghan/2007/07/13/pf-4335601.html
(failing to mention the fact that we're now doing massively increased drug testing and that the system is much more aware of such issues than in the past)
Military conspiracy to target innocent analyst:
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=746bfb9c-2430-4851-a7f2-5b200c086fa1
(failing to mention that this is a standard tactic used by large organizations in order to prepare their leadership to address questions from critics)
Military BSs the public regarding our role in Afghanistan:
http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20070711_171700_11872
And the topper - Inner circle of secretive "advisors" plots to undermine civilian rule:
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/219106
Completely ignoring the truth as published by the Deputy Minister two days before:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=2372
Such hyperventilating, innuendo, inaccuracy and blatant half-truths hardly serve to fulfill the media's oft-stated role of educating the public. It appears that the bulk of the nation's mass media has already made up its mind regarding the military, Afghanistan and our soldiers. Those few who write positively about their experiences with the CF or, worse, in support of our efforts in Kandahar Province are derided as having become co-opted dupes of a sinister, secretive organization.
Public discourse deserves better than this. An educated debate is one thing, hyperbole is another. Many in the media seem to be hungering for a Vietnam-style confrontation between themselves and the military community. They appear almost desperate for a family of one of our fallen to denounce the mission in Afghanistan, leaping upon any hint of discontent or dissention as an example of a wider problem. The way CTV News website misquoted the Dawe family yesterday was almost breathtaking.
Poll after poll is taken with skewed questioning and questionable facts. "Unease with War Grows", "War Deaths Too High", "Support Wanes..." seem to be today's media mantra.
This is a plea to the media: do some basic research before you write. Try and learn what the various branches of the military do and which organizations are responsible for what. If using an "expert", at least point out how that "expert" is qualified to comment on defence issues and, more importantly, what political baggage the "expert" is carrying. There are very few real defence experts in Canada.
Finally, leave your prejudices at home: not all of us are high-school dropouts lured into the Army by promises of a free education or have been lied to by a predatory recruiting system. Aside, perhaps, from some diplomats and NGO personnel, soldiers on the ground in theatre have a much more comprehensive view of the issues facing Southern Afghanistan than any Canada-based pundit. Often, they have the education and academic background to bolster that first-hand knowledge. It's unfortunate that you appear unable to acknowledge this.