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BBC blasts U.S. broadcasters
BBC chief slams U.S. broadcasters `Cheerleading' war coverage scorned
MERISSA MARR
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
LONDON?The director of the BBC says American broadcasters' coverage of the Iraq war was so unquestioningly patriotic and so lacking in impartiality that it threatened the credibility of U.S. electronic media.
Gen. Greg Dyke singled out for criticism the fast growing Fox Cable News Network, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, and Clear Channel Communications, the largest operator of radio stations in the United States, for special criticism.
"Personally, I was shocked while in the United States by how unquestioning the broadcast news media was during this war," Dyke said in a speech at a University of London conference.
"If Iraq proved anything, it was that the BBC cannot afford to mix patriotism and journalism. This is happening in the United States and, if it continues, will undermine the credibility of the U.S. electronic news media."
Dyke singled out Fox News, the most popular U.S. cable news network during the conflict, for its "gung-ho patriotism," saying: "We are still surprised when we see Fox News with such a committed political position."
A spokesman for Fox News declined comment.
The British media veteran also attacked U.S. radio broadcaster Clear Channel Communication Inc. and warned against British media becoming "Americanized."
"We are genuinely shocked when we discover that the largest radio group in the United States was using its airwaves to organize pro-war rallies," Dyke said.
"We are even more shocked to discover that the same group wants to become a big player in radio in the United Kingdom when it is deregulated later this year."
A spokesman for Clear Channel was not available for comment.
"For the health of our democracy," Dyke said, "it's vital we don't follow the path of many American networks."
U.S. broadcasters came under attack for "cheerleading" during the Iraq conflict, with what some critics saw as gung-ho reporting and flag-waving patriotism. In one example, a U.S. network described U.S. soldiers as "heroes" and "liberators."
Dyke suggested the problem stemmed from the recent fragmentation of media, with no single network having the clout to stand up to the U.S. government.
"This is particularly so since Sept. 11, when many U.S. networks wrapped themselves in the American flag and swapped impartiality for patriotism."
Dyke defended the BBC in the face of accusations ? some from the British government ? that the broadcaster had been soft on Saddam Hussein's government.
"In times of war, British governments of every persuasion have sought to use the media to manage public opinion," Dyke said. "It's only a problem if the BBC caves in."
BBC chief slams U.S. broadcasters `Cheerleading' war coverage scorned
MERISSA MARR
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
LONDON?The director of the BBC says American broadcasters' coverage of the Iraq war was so unquestioningly patriotic and so lacking in impartiality that it threatened the credibility of U.S. electronic media.
Gen. Greg Dyke singled out for criticism the fast growing Fox Cable News Network, owned by media baron Rupert Murdoch, and Clear Channel Communications, the largest operator of radio stations in the United States, for special criticism.
"Personally, I was shocked while in the United States by how unquestioning the broadcast news media was during this war," Dyke said in a speech at a University of London conference.
"If Iraq proved anything, it was that the BBC cannot afford to mix patriotism and journalism. This is happening in the United States and, if it continues, will undermine the credibility of the U.S. electronic news media."
Dyke singled out Fox News, the most popular U.S. cable news network during the conflict, for its "gung-ho patriotism," saying: "We are still surprised when we see Fox News with such a committed political position."
A spokesman for Fox News declined comment.
The British media veteran also attacked U.S. radio broadcaster Clear Channel Communication Inc. and warned against British media becoming "Americanized."
"We are genuinely shocked when we discover that the largest radio group in the United States was using its airwaves to organize pro-war rallies," Dyke said.
"We are even more shocked to discover that the same group wants to become a big player in radio in the United Kingdom when it is deregulated later this year."
A spokesman for Clear Channel was not available for comment.
"For the health of our democracy," Dyke said, "it's vital we don't follow the path of many American networks."
U.S. broadcasters came under attack for "cheerleading" during the Iraq conflict, with what some critics saw as gung-ho reporting and flag-waving patriotism. In one example, a U.S. network described U.S. soldiers as "heroes" and "liberators."
Dyke suggested the problem stemmed from the recent fragmentation of media, with no single network having the clout to stand up to the U.S. government.
"This is particularly so since Sept. 11, when many U.S. networks wrapped themselves in the American flag and swapped impartiality for patriotism."
Dyke defended the BBC in the face of accusations ? some from the British government ? that the broadcaster had been soft on Saddam Hussein's government.
"In times of war, British governments of every persuasion have sought to use the media to manage public opinion," Dyke said. "It's only a problem if the BBC caves in."