Comments on: Reuters style on the conflict in Iraq http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/ Our editors & readers talk Sun, 6 Jul 2008 00:37:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Joseph Pinto http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-159626 Joseph Pinto Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:17:39 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-159626 When you write about Iraq as a "complex conflict" and describe it as having "elements" of an insurgency, terrorism, etc, should you not also talk of "occupation" by the US and UK forces as one of the elements adding to the complexity of the conflict? Moving towards the usage "civil war" is a way of first blinding a person and then labelling the person as blind. The same goes with first occupying or invading a sovereign country and then describing the conflict as "civil war". I am glad Reuters refrains from the "civil war" usage, but what about occupation in the first place since 2003? When you write about Iraq as a “complex conflict” and describe it as having “elements” of an insurgency, terrorism, etc, should you not also talk of “occupation” by the US and UK forces as one of the elements adding to the complexity of the conflict?

Moving towards the usage “civil war” is a way of first blinding a person and then labelling the person as blind. The same goes with first occupying or invading a sovereign country and then describing the conflict as “civil war”.

I am glad Reuters refrains from the “civil war” usage, but what about occupation in the first place since 2003?

]]> By: Margaret Pratt http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-76932 Margaret Pratt Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:28:06 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-76932 Now I know why I've been favoring Reuters to the exclusion of AP for my news. Paul Holmes' policy note to staff encompasses the principles of good journalism. Something that I've found missing in too many other news organizations. Now I know why I’ve been favoring Reuters to the exclusion of AP for my news. Paul Holmes’ policy note to staff encompasses the principles of good journalism. Something that I’ve found missing in too many other news organizations.

]]> By: Nancy Engel http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-76410 Nancy Engel Thu, 07 Dec 2006 17:24:03 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-76410 I agree with Harry with the exception that when dealing with people who would rather kill and be killed than debate or discuss, it would appear that no effective government is possible. I have a cousin who did two tours in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan and even though he has said many times that the people in both countries claimed to be happy that the U.S. Military had removed Saadam and the Taliban, they were still not understandable when it came to their beliefs in the sanctity of life. You cannot win when you are fighting people who WANT to die. You cannot govern a people who don't feel bad about killing female family members. You can't help a starving people who would stab the person bringing the bread. The biggest problem we face are reprisals if we now completely pull out. We did that to the Kurds in the early '90s and now they don't trust us. If we do it again to those in Iraq and Afghanistan who are actually trying to make things right there, we will never be trusted again and I fear that those who support U.S. efforts would unite with those who only want to bring about the West's complete distruction. I agree with Harry with the exception that when dealing with people who would rather kill and be killed than debate or discuss, it would appear that no effective government is possible.

I have a cousin who did two tours in Iraq and 2 in Afghanistan and even though he has said many times that the people in both countries claimed to be happy that the U.S. Military had removed Saadam and the Taliban, they were still not understandable when it came to their beliefs in the sanctity of life. You cannot win when you are fighting people who WANT to die. You cannot govern a people who don’t feel bad about killing female family members. You can’t help a starving people who would stab the person bringing the bread.

The biggest problem we face are reprisals if we now completely pull out. We did that to the Kurds in the early ’90s and now they don’t trust us. If we do it again to those in Iraq and Afghanistan who are actually trying to make things right there, we will never be trusted again and I fear that those who support U.S. efforts would unite with those who only want to bring about the West’s complete distruction.

]]> By: Iraq is in a Civil War « drinking with Keith Olbermann http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-75683 Iraq is in a Civil War « drinking with Keith Olbermann Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:25:30 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-75683 [...] Earlier today, the following memo was released to Reuters staff Last week, a decision by the American TV network NBC to begin calling the conflict in Iraq a civil war led to a lively debate over the language the media should use in its reporting on Iraq. At Reuters, the political and general news editors have again reviewed our style. We ask all journalists to avoid using labels and instead describe what is happening in Iraq accurately, fairly and dispassionately. Civil war may be used when it is attributed to a named source but should not be used without such attribution. In general, bureaus should take their cue from the language used in stories from Iraq. [...] […] Earlier today, the following memo was released to Reuters staff Last week, a decision by the American TV network NBC to begin calling the conflict in Iraq a civil war led to a lively debate over the language the media should use in its reporting on Iraq. At Reuters, the political and general news editors have again reviewed our style. We ask all journalists to avoid using labels and instead describe what is happening in Iraq accurately, fairly and dispassionately. Civil war may be used when it is attributed to a named source but should not be used without such attribution. In general, bureaus should take their cue from the language used in stories from Iraq. […]

]]> By: Harry Gilbert http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-75656 Harry Gilbert Tue, 05 Dec 2006 20:54:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-editors/2006/12/05/reuters-style-on-the-conflict-in-iraq/#comment-75656 When you find dead bodies in the street with bullet holes in the head every morning, and no attempt to find out who did it, what do you call the situation? I call it ANARCHY. Picture yourself living in that city where they find these bodies every morning! Face reality, there is no effectivr government in Iraq now. What there is os a state of anarchy. The so-called government is a sham! When you find dead bodies in the street with bullet holes in the head every morning, and no attempt to find out who did it, what do you call the situation? I call it ANARCHY. Picture yourself living in that city where they find these bodies every morning! Face reality, there is no effectivr government in Iraq now. What there is os a state of anarchy. The so-called government is a sham!

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