ABSTRACT
Since the war in Iraq began in 2003, the performance of the media in terms of war coverage has been the target of much condemnation. Criticism of media coverage is not new, but it became even more scathing after the events of September 11 and the second invasion of Iraq. Massing (2003) came down hard on American reporters and claimed that they didn’t ask any of the tough questions for fear of reprisal from the Coalition Media Center and that the reporters were submissive to the Pentagon and the White House. He indicated that the British press did a much better job in terms of war analysis. Others criticized the media for serving as propaganda tools and as mouthpieces for the administration. According to Hackett (2001), the dominant frame in U.S. media coverage since the 9/11 attacks has been that of total support of government rhetoric and action.
