I know they are private interests (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and so on) but I keep seeing Iraqi hostages on television and on their websites. As of this hour, the front page of CNN.com has a picture of a number of Iraqi prisoners being forced to lie on the ground with their hands tied behind their back. The US was outraged when we saw just a few US prisoners on television.

So what is the issue? A few I can think of.

1. American news media are private interests that can show what they want? (Weak argument. In that event, we can pass laws against it)

2. They are not regularly clothed military members and thus not covered by Geneva protocols. (I have no idea if this is true or not as per the Geneva conventions or whether
American media outlets have only shown "irregulars")

3. There is no war. There is no Iraqi military. All activities in Iraq are now criminal actions and thus not covered (this doesn't explain earlier showings of Iraqi prisoners by news outlets)

What else?

Are you asking if the media should show them, or if they should show them on tv?

Good question. Both then. What do you think?

Good question. Both then. What do you think? [/b][/quote]
I don't know. I'd have to give it serious thought.

Uhhhh ... what is the point of blocking American media from carrying these pictures? Like it or not, it's happening. It's going to continue to happen whether CNN et al carry the pictures, or act in what you seem to regard as a "correct" manner and don't carry them.

As far as "There is no war" - that is a patently absurd statement. Somebody should tell the Marines about to go into Falujah (now that the American election is over) that - I'm sure they'd love to learn it.

It's not "about to go in" anymore -- the attack is full scale underway now. Let's hope for the best.

Of course I hope for the best, Buff ...

I know no limits.

I think it all comes down to the motive behind showing the prisoners... however there is very thin line between acceptable and propaganda... ex. video of Saddam during his medical exam servered alot more than just the newsworthiness of his capture - it was also a character killing, and therefore propaganda, but it was accepted, because it was Saddam.

But with cheap technology + internet, then I´m sure it will be hard to keep images/videos from entering circulation once they have been taken.

Question should be how people learn what is acceptable and what is propaganda?