The Downward Iraqi Spiral? aka What About the Good News?

So often we hear the refrain - most recently from the VP on "Face the Nation" - that the media is focusing too much on the bad things happening in Iraq but not the good. Howard Kurtz at the Wash Post asks is the media has declared war on the war in Iraq.

Since we live not far from a military base, Little Rock Air Force Base, I hear some similar refrain from acquiantances who are in or were in the military. "But what about all the schools being built? And what about the democratic elections? And what about..." This are good friends who I have a lot of respect for...and for the work they do but I respectfully disagree with the theory that there's some vast media conspiracy against Bush, the Republicans and/or the war in Iraq.

CBS News' Lara Logan offers the response I've been expecting, coincidentally to Kurtz on CNN's "Reliable Source":

"...Our own editors back in New York are asking us the same things. They read the same comments. You know, are there positive stories? Can't you find them?

"You don't think that I haven't been to the U.S. military and the State Department and the embassy and asked them over and over again, let's see the good stories, show us some of the good things that are going on? Oh, sorry, we can't take to you that school project, because if you put that on TV, they're going to be attacked about, the teachers are going to be killed, the children might be victims of attack.

"Oh, sorry, we can't show this reconstruction project because then that's going to expose it to sabotage. And the last time we had journalists down here, the plant was attacked. I mean, security dominates every single thing that happens in this country….So how it is that security issues should not then dominate the media coverage coming out of here?"

She goes on to assail those who accuse media in Iraq of simply "reporting from their hotel balcony." Thanks to Scott for the heads up on this.

A Turning Point in Iraq [Washington Post]
Lara Logan Smacks Down 'Negative' War Charges [Crooks and Liars]