Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"Reporters will be embedded with the government during natural disasters, according to a plan outlined by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at the Radio-Television News Directors Association convention," writes John Eggerton. Chertoff assured the audience, "We're not going to be censoring information," since the program wouldn't involve battleground situations. Eggerton notes that during the crisis around Hurricane Katrina, "reporters seemed to know more about what was happening on the ground than the administration did." So, the new embed program might benefit government officials more than reporters -- or affected communities.
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Alan Gregory replied on Permalink
Embedding reporters
An old trick, now. Homeland Security has apparently been in touch with Torie Clark, the former DoD spokeslady. I think we were better off -- during Gulf War I -- with media outlets acting independently of the military. Sure there was censorship by military "authorities," but at least the reporting teams weren't just tagging along and getting uncomfortably close to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines they were assigned to cover/accompany.
Sisyphus replied on Permalink
Dick Powers, Embedded in LA
I would've missed this if it wasn't for you guys - it's a tiny little item and I haven't seen it mentioned ANYWHERE else. Even at Dailykos (where the gestalt media sensitivity is broad and pretty keen), no one's talking about this (yet). So kudos for catching it.
Given what we know of the "embedded media" approach from the big-budget flop "Gulf II: This Time It's Personal", it isn't hard to imagine the way the scenario might unfold. Here's what strikes me about it (original post at www.GettingPrimitive.com)...
Am I the only person who thinks: "Doesn't Chertoff's assurance (regarding censorship) imply that they would be censoring information if it was a battleground situation?
To whom would the determination fall anyway? After all, if Hurricane Katrina brought us heavily armed corporate mercenaries walking the streets of New Orleans (courtesy of Blackwater security), wouldn't that indicate that someone believed there would be a possibility of some sort of battle? Note that a "battleground" is not necessarily equivalent to "a declared war." All sorts of things - a gang faceoff, a street mob - could be considered a "battleground situation" - all that's required is a few determined and oppositely-inclined people with guns.
If one of those mercenaries fires a shot - or gets shot at (perhaps by some freaked-out local, still unaccustomed to the sight of heavily-armed mercenaries on his street) - wouldn't it instantly become a "battleground situation"? Do you think the Blackwater man will have to wait for GW to put down the goat book, or do you think he'll already have his orders?
Of course, overt censorship would not be necessary in any case. As the Iraq Invasion proved so well, the corporate media didn't need to be censored when it came to reporting the War On "Terruh" - licking the hands that own them, they were more than happy to censor themselves.
With that in mind, let's go out to the field where our roving disaster correspondent, Dick Powers, is embedded with a FEMA unit on official camera-ops duty in the aftermath of the Great California Earthquake. Dick is getting some great stuff from officials talking about how compassionate they are, and some other footage from a bunch of wounded, starving, homeless refugees wondering how come FEMA sent guys with clipboards and camera crews but no food.
The unit is guarded by an assigned contingent of Blackwater mercenaries. With their op finished and losing the good daylight, the unit proceeds quickly into a devastated suburban area to find a good background for Dick's nightly satellite feed. Looting and wilding are said to be rampant in this part of town. Everyone's on edge. Dick's cameraman, Sanchez, has the tape rolling when a gunshot rings out. Fire is returned and chaos ensues as Dick dives for cover and checks his hair. Sanchez keeps the camera rolling as the mercenaries cut down a whole street full of confused and angry people.
Which footage will be featured on Dick's nightly broadcast?
- S.