PUBLIC SENTIMENT, NOT MEDIA BIAS, SHAPES WAR COVERAGE -- In addition to protesting the war itself, many activists are criticizing the media's coverage of the war as being too pro-U.S. But according to Temple political science professor Mike Hooper, the media merely tap into existing public sentiment. "It's a myth," says Hooper, who teaches courses on politics and the media. "When a situation like the current war against Iraq occurs, the majority of Americans rally around the flag. The media don't create that." On the other hand, Hooper does acknowledge that many media outlets, particularly the major networks, have been generally supportive of the administration and the military. "The media are playing an important role in conveying information even if they at times appear to be another arm of the government," he says.
FEWER IRAQI CASUALTIES MAY BE PART OF MILITARY STRATEGY -- It may be only days old, but the current war with Iraq is already markedly different from Operation Desert Storm 12 years ago. "It seems to me that the U.S. military's primary strategy in this war, judging from its conduct thus far, is to win with a minimum of Iraqi casualties," says Temple military historian Greg Urwin. "It appears that every effort is being made to persuade Iraqi troops to surrender, although those few units that have dared to open fire on the advancing 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the 3rd Infantry Division have been quickly destroyed." In addition to its efforts to this point, Urwin says the military may be pacing the attack with the hope that Iraq's forces lose the will to fight. "They may be hoping that more of the Iraqi military will fall apart," he says.
MORE TEMPLE EXPERTS AVAILABLE -- Looking for an expert to discuss President Bush's leadership, how Americans are faring psychologically as the war proceeds, chemical and biological weapons, or how Arab nations view the U.S.? For more sources, go to http://www.temple.edu/news_media/nmr0302_570.html.
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