Unreliable Watchdog

The News Media and U.S. Foreign Policy

Ted Galen Carpenter

• Publisher: Cato Institute
• Year: 2022
• Print ISBN: 9781952223334
• eBook ISBN: 9781952223341
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: International Relations
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Freedom of press is a cornerstone of our democratic political system. But reporters, pundits, and editors face intense pressure to serve as propagandists rather than journalists in their coverage of U.S. foreign policy. Too many members of the news media seem unable to make that distinction and play their proper role as watchdogs for the American people regarding possible government incompetence or misconduct. Since World War II, America has become a garrison state?always prepared for armed conflict—and the conflating of journalism and propaganda has grown worse, even in situations that do not involve actual combat for the United States. That behavior increasingly constrains and distorts the public's consideration of Washington's role in the world.

In Unreliable Watchdog, Ted Galen Carpenter focuses on the nature and extent of the American news media's willingness to accept official accounts and policy justifications, too often throwing skepticism aside. He takes readers through an examination of the media's performance with respect to the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the conflicts in the Balkans, the prelude to the Iraq War, the civil wars in Libya and Syria, and Washington's post–Cold War relations with both Russia and China. The analysis explores why most journalists?as well as social media platforms?seem willing to collaborate with government officials in pushing an activist foreign policy, even when tactics or results have been questionable, disappointing, or even disastrous.

Unreliable Watchdog jump-starts a badly needed conversation about how the press must improve its coverage of foreign policy and national security issues if it is to serve its proper role for the American people.

Table of contents

• INTRODUCTION An Ambiguous Press Legacy on Foreign Policy
• CHAPTER 1 A Century of Hawkish Sentiments
• CHAPTER 2 A (Belated) Vietnam Wakeup Call and Its Aftermath
• CHAPTER 3 New Restraints and Enticements: Grenada, the Gulf War, and Somalia
• CHAPTER 4 Advocacy Journalism and Propaganda: Press Coverage of the Balkan Wars
• CHAPTER 5 Recirculating Government Disinformation on Iraq
• CHAPTER 6 Cheerleading for Humanitarian Crusades: Libya and Syria
• CHAPTER 7 Toxic Bias Pollutes Russia Coverage
• CHAPTER 8 Volatile Media Perspectives Regarding China
• CHAPTER 9 Groupthink and Club Membership
• CHAPTER 10 Harassing Journalistic Dissenters
• CHAPTER 11 The Press as a Subsidiary of the National Security State
• CHAPTER 12 A Changing Media Landscape: The Growth of Social Media
• CONCLUSION The Media’s Obligation to Serve as Foreign Policy Watchdog
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• NOTES
• INDEX
• ABOUT THE AUTHOR