Beware Media Memorial Day Hypocrisy
U.S. and other Allied Forces in World War II were heroes. So are those fighting modern Nazis like Hamas.
Each Memorial Day, many news organizations rightfully express gratitude to U.S. military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as to their families. Often given special attention are those who served in World War II, the “Greatest Generation.” That’s a good thing. Their heroic fight against evil should be remembered and appreciated.
Search through all those news reports, and try to find any examples — any at all — in which news agencies even acknowledge how many civilians died as a result of the Allied Forces. You’ll probably find none. Yet for these same news agencies, the big story of the ongoing war in Gaza is not Israel’s brave fight against forces of evil that are trying to carry on the Nazi legacy. Instead, it’s alleged civilian deaths in Gaza.
As I explained in Episode 4, The Media’s ‘Death Toll’ Fails, the ethical inconsistency is clear. Civilian deaths in war are the world’s biggest story only when Israel can be blamed.
I also discussed my time in Nuremberg — a city bombed by British and U.S. Forces.
Yes, wars have changed a great deal. Modern warfare allows for much greater targeting. But if news organizations actually cared about civilian deaths in wars, they would bring the topic up in discussions of every war.
Meanwhile, Hamas and other Islamist terrorist groups have deep roots in Nazism. And just as the media carried a lot of pro-Nazi messaging in the years leading up to World War II, it is carrying pro-Islamist terror messaging now. At times these are one and the same, such as when the New York Times rehired a Gazan “journalist” who openly adores Hitler.
U.S. soldiers who died fighting for democracy and freedom deserve to have all of us, including the media, stand stalwart for those same principles. That means calling Islamist terrorist groups what they are. It means providing context in coverage of the ongoing war in Gaza — making clear that we don’t know how many civilians have been killed; that civilians die in all wars; and that Israel takes steps no other military takes to limit civilian deaths. That, and more explained:
What you can do
In the coming days, as the media continues to relentlessly report Hamas claims of death tolls in Gaza, email the heads of news agencies text like this:
In your coverage of Memorial Day, I did not see/hear a single word about the number of civilians killed in all those wars in which the soldiers died. Why are civilian deaths the top story when Israel is to blame, but not even mentioned in coverage of these other wars? For a reality check on this, please listen to the podcast They Stand Corrected.
If you don’t find the email addresses for the executives you want to reach, drop me a note and I’ll see if I can get it for you. (Paid subscribers, write in the comments below; other folks can find a form via my website that takes you through a process of confirming your email.)
On this Memorial Day, thoughts with all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for democracy and freedom, and to their families.
Big love,
JL
