Fraudulent News
By Oliver North
March 2, 2007
Page 2 of 2
By selective use of polling data, the slanted "60 Minutes" piece leaves the erroneous impression that there is a growing anti-war movement in the ranks. Though grossly inaccurate, the broadcast may not be dangerous per se, but it is demoralizing. That's the assessment of numerous soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines I have covered during eight trips to Iraq and two to Afghanistan for FOX News and those who have e-mailed victoryiniraq@foxnews.com.
Our troops aren't the only target for twisted news. Some of it is aimed straight at the heart of Christian belief. On Monday morning NBC News' Matt Lauer proffered an infomercial for "The Lost Tomb of Jesus," a "documentary" airing on the Discovery Channel this weekend. NBC's breathless billing described the production as a "shocking new claim" that James Cameron, the Hollywood director of "Titanic," had discovered the place where Jesus, his wife Mary and their son were buried, and promised that NBC's exclusive interview "could rock Christianity to its core." Peacock network promoters failed to note that the tomb Cameron "discovered" had actually been found nearly three decades ago -- and that credible archeologists had long since dismissed any assertion it belonged to the Jesus Christ crucified on Calvary.
Media distortions can be dangerous. Last September, Pope Benedict XVI lectured at Germany's University of Regensburg and decried violence in the name of religion as "incompatible with the nature of God." News reports selectively quoted passages from the pontiff's remarks that made it appear he was attacking Islam. Muslim leaders condemned Benedict's words and a Roman Catholic nun was murdered in Somalia as a result. In the aftermath of the violence, Ali Bardakoglu, grand mufti of Turkey admitted that he had not heard or read the Pope's lecture -- but had in fact based his anger on press reports.
Bad news is bad enough. But fraudulent news is not only bad for morals, the environment and morale, it can also be disheartening and sometimes downright deadly.
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Oliver North is the host of "War Stories" on the FOX News Channel.
COPYRIGHT 2007 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA. >> Back -- Page 1 2
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