Using "Pro-Troops" to Mean "Pro-War" Is Anti-Journalistic
March 26, 2003
With citizens expressing their opinions on the war through marches and
rallies across the country, many news outlets rely on the Associated Press
news service to help them cover these important manifestations of
democracy. Unfortunately, AP has frequently used the terms "pro-war" and
"pro-troops" interchangeably-- a practice that distorts the views of
anti-war demonstrators and contributes to the media marginalization of the
peace movement.
It's likely that the overwhelming majority of participants at peace events
would describe themselves as "supporting the troops," in the sense of
being concerned for their well-being and hoping for their safe return.
"Support Our Troops: Bring Them Home" is a popular slogan at peace
marches, which tend to criticize George W. Bush and other administration
officials, not rank-and-file U.S. military personnel.
Nevertheless, AP and some other news outlets often use "supporting the
troops" as a synonym for "supporting the war"-- and use "pro-troops" as a
shorthand to describe rallies and demonstrations that are, in many cases,
explicitly pro-war events. "Pro-troops" is frequently used as the
opposite of "anti-war," as if the only way to be supportive of soldiers is
to advocate their involvement in war on Iraq.
For example, the day after bombing of Baghdad began, the AP ran a story
(3/20/03) under the headline "Anti-War, Pro-Troops Rallies Take to Streets
as War Rages." Another story (3/22/03), about pro- and anti-war
activities, was labeled "Weekend Brings More Demonstrations-- Opposing
War, Supporting Troops." The clear implication is that those who call for
an end to the invasion of Iraq are opposed to U.S. troops, as in the story
"Protesters Rally Against War; Others Support Troops" (3/24/03).
This tendentious usage shows up in the body of stories as well. "In San
Francisco, at least three pro-troop demonstrators who attended the rally
were alternately yelled at and debated with by peace demonstrators," the
AP reported on March 23. Another AP story (3/24/03) referred to "about
100 people-- half anti-war and half pro-troops-- [who] demonstrated on the
Sagadahoc Bridge over the Kennebec River near Bath."
Other news outlets use the misleading formulation as well. "Perhaps you
see police arrayed in riot gear keeping apart the pro-troop rally and the
anti-war rally," CNN's Jeff Flock stated on March 22. A Sacramento Bee
story (3/22/03) reported that while pro-war activists "said those who
support the Bush administration have been less likely to stage large
demonstrations because they are busy with the concerns of daily life,
there have been large pro-troop rallies held across the country"-- as if
only those who back the Bush administration are friendly toward those in
the military.
ACTION: Please write to the Associated Press and insist that they stop
implying that the anti-war movement is hostile to U.S. military personnel
by referring to pro-war rallies as "pro-troop."
CONTACT:
Associated Press
mailto:feedback@ap.org
As always, please remember that your comments are taken more seriously if
you maintain a polite tone. Please cc fair@fair.org with your
correspondence.
FAIR
(212) 633-6700
http://www.fair.org/
E-mail: fair@fair.org
March 26, 2003
With citizens expressing their opinions on the war through marches and
rallies across the country, many news outlets rely on the Associated Press
news service to help them cover these important manifestations of
democracy. Unfortunately, AP has frequently used the terms "pro-war" and
"pro-troops" interchangeably-- a practice that distorts the views of
anti-war demonstrators and contributes to the media marginalization of the
peace movement.
It's likely that the overwhelming majority of participants at peace events
would describe themselves as "supporting the troops," in the sense of
being concerned for their well-being and hoping for their safe return.
"Support Our Troops: Bring Them Home" is a popular slogan at peace
marches, which tend to criticize George W. Bush and other administration
officials, not rank-and-file U.S. military personnel.
Nevertheless, AP and some other news outlets often use "supporting the
troops" as a synonym for "supporting the war"-- and use "pro-troops" as a
shorthand to describe rallies and demonstrations that are, in many cases,
explicitly pro-war events. "Pro-troops" is frequently used as the
opposite of "anti-war," as if the only way to be supportive of soldiers is
to advocate their involvement in war on Iraq.
For example, the day after bombing of Baghdad began, the AP ran a story
(3/20/03) under the headline "Anti-War, Pro-Troops Rallies Take to Streets
as War Rages." Another story (3/22/03), about pro- and anti-war
activities, was labeled "Weekend Brings More Demonstrations-- Opposing
War, Supporting Troops." The clear implication is that those who call for
an end to the invasion of Iraq are opposed to U.S. troops, as in the story
"Protesters Rally Against War; Others Support Troops" (3/24/03).
This tendentious usage shows up in the body of stories as well. "In San
Francisco, at least three pro-troop demonstrators who attended the rally
were alternately yelled at and debated with by peace demonstrators," the
AP reported on March 23. Another AP story (3/24/03) referred to "about
100 people-- half anti-war and half pro-troops-- [who] demonstrated on the
Sagadahoc Bridge over the Kennebec River near Bath."
Other news outlets use the misleading formulation as well. "Perhaps you
see police arrayed in riot gear keeping apart the pro-troop rally and the
anti-war rally," CNN's Jeff Flock stated on March 22. A Sacramento Bee
story (3/22/03) reported that while pro-war activists "said those who
support the Bush administration have been less likely to stage large
demonstrations because they are busy with the concerns of daily life,
there have been large pro-troop rallies held across the country"-- as if
only those who back the Bush administration are friendly toward those in
the military.
ACTION: Please write to the Associated Press and insist that they stop
implying that the anti-war movement is hostile to U.S. military personnel
by referring to pro-war rallies as "pro-troop."
CONTACT:
Associated Press
mailto:feedback@ap.org
As always, please remember that your comments are taken more seriously if
you maintain a polite tone. Please cc fair@fair.org with your
correspondence.
FAIR
(212) 633-6700
http://www.fair.org/
E-mail: fair@fair.org