Iraq War documentaries fill a press vacuum: '... filmmakers have become a source of alternative explanations for the war in Iraq and the news coverage of it, as well as critics of the administration's policies.'.(Words & Reflections)

Nieman Reports, March, 2005 by Conway, Lorie

The Iraq War exposed the news media's strengths and weaknesses. At gathering and transmitting visual images throughout the world, reporting what's being said by White House officials and showing human-interest stories about Americans caught up in the flow of momentous events, they have excelled. Less to be applauded, however, has been the U.S. news media's presentation of alternative opinions and perspectives at a time when there were few areas of disagreement among government officials, including Democratic lawmakers who were largely silent during the buildup to and early execution of the war with Iraq. Deprived of such prominent dissenters, journalists' work revolved largely within this echo chamber, as the White House maintained firm control of the news agenda with...

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