Since 9/11, the Journal, like many papers our size, has published front-page stories about soldiers and Marines from our circulation area who have died in combat. We’ve tried to run all of them above the fold, in the top half of the paper. Today’s story about the death of Sgt. Anton Hiett
was no exception.
He was an Army reservist from Mount Airy.
One of the complaints I on occasion hear is that running stories on the deaths and placing them in prominent positions is weakening our country’s resolve to sustain the fight. The argument, if I understand it, would be that we focus on the negative (the deaths) and rarely write about the accomplishments of all the men and women from this area who have not died and are serving proudly overseas and making a positive difference in the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan.
It’s true that a story about a soldier’s death personalizes the war and brings it home. So our decision to run it on the front page makes a statement. But I don’t think it’s a statement based on whether we are pro- or anti-war.
Rather, it’s about an important role of the media, to bear witness, and to display society in all its complexity and pain for all to see and to consider.
Sgt. Hiett’s father said it best. “You know, we live in a free country, but no one wants their child to die ... I also know that somebody has to fight the battle, and freedom has a price.”
Your host is Ken Otterbourg, the managing editor at the Winston-Salem Journal. It's a forum to discuss the media, from
Running the article “above the fold” on the front page seems to indicate that the life and death of this young man matter. Regardless of one’s position concerning the war, Americans need to support our soldiers. Some folks don’t seem to know it, but even pacifists believe that.
I really do wish that the media (I mean media in general)would mention more about the tapes that were recently found which confirm the fact that Saddam was preparing WMDs and lied to the UN about all he had. Further, 2 of his commanders have come forward and said that the weapons were moved to Syria right before US troops arrived in 2003.
This is the main justification for the war, and I do not understand why it is not highlighted. Instead it is hidden. What is news? Bush’s low approval ratings. That is TOP news! I hear it everyday!! BIG DEAL!! It’s the lowest EVER, says the media. Breaking news!! So?
However, I haven’t heard anymore “Bush Lied!” recently. I wonder why…
I just think it is wrong to not highlight the positives in the war as well as the deaths that personalize it. It’s as if the media hates America right now. Sounds harsh, but I am serious! Watch the news! They want the war to go terribly, so when good things happen, nothing is reported. Did you know that Afghanistan loves us?? Our approval rating is in the 80s! You didn’t know that? What a surprise.
Just because the media hates Bush doesn’t mean they have to ruin our soldiers’ and their families’ lives.
Some people like Cindy Sheehan think their son died for nothing! As you can tell, it’s made her pretty crazy.
So tell me - what is really important? People’s lives or politics?
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