More than a little outraged

[itsallovernow]

I just asked my boss, a former reporter for our local CBS affiliate, if they could do this: L.A. Times Bans 'Resistance Fighters' in Iraq News . She said, with a sigh, that yes, it's within their purvey.

I find that it offends my sense of freedom of the press. I also find that I am really and truly pissed off at the L.A. Times now. How exactly, are you supposed to describe people who are fighting against the invaders of their country, because I'm sorry, whatever my political feelings about this war, that's what we are. This doesn't mean I don't have sympathy for the families of those who have died, that I think the violence is acceptable, but I find the issue of couching things in acceptable political language - especially from a major paper- more than a little distasteful.

Any reporters or former reporters have any thoughts on this? Am I overreacting (not that I think I am, but I do realize that, in my positition - which mostly is writing educational spin, I know it when I see it, and it pisses me off when I have to do it, but no one expects unbiased reporting from me!!)

Comments

[infinitemonkeys.livejournal.com]

FWIW, we call em "pro-Saddam fighters", "guerrillas" or "rebels". Also "terrorists"., The paper could not be called rightwing, by and large, but we'd probably only call them "resistance fighters" on the comment pages.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

I guess that's why it threw me so much - while the L.A. Times is owned by Tribune, it's not a conservative paper, not particularly rightwing, and it bothers me that such mandate would be put forth, and, I'm assuming, enforced.

I feel naive in saying that, I guess, but at the same time, I real do feel taken aback. We are advocates of free speech and a free press not rooted in the propoganda of the system, and yet terms are being dictated that are completely political. Maybe I'm being over sensitive to this in my total and thorough willingness to somehow violate the Patriot Act, but I really do find that this has gotten under my skin - enough so that my boss finally said, right a letter and be done with it.