It's the Media, Stupid

Paul Krugman thinks that the reason public opinion is so different in Europe is because the American media is full of propaganda. "We have different views partly because we see different news," he writes.

Dave Lindorff and Ed Herman agree that the media is the problem. Lindorff argues that the "abject failure of the American journalistic model--long worsening--has become depressingly apparent in the run-up to what appears to be almost certain war with Iraq." Because of this, Herman writes, "High priority should be given to pressing the media to cease their unquestioning service to the war-makers. With even a modest change by the mainstream media in the direction of fairness and openness to views that are held by the global majority, the tide could be turned."