Section
Pepperdine Links
Online Publications
Saddam Hussein’s first case in the string of trials for the atrocities he committed during his dictatorship began Oct. 19. Few Americans knew about it, however, because our country’s mainstream media awarded it meager coverage.
That day, the repulsive, vicious murderer sat in front of a judge for unfathomable crimes such as brutally murdering 146 innocent citizens and imprisoning and torturing hundreds of others in the Shiite town of Dujayl in 1982. Major city newspapers including The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, didn’t even deem the occasion front-page material.
When Americans picked up their newspapers Wednesday, “Monster tyrant finally stands trial” should have streamed across those front pages. Where was that headline? Why did so many major media outlets consider the story insignificant, inside-page or end-of-the-newscast material?
There should have been more news stories introducing the case to Americans, informing them of the situation and proceedings, and telling them where and when they could watch the televised trial.
Even though the trial was, at least briefly, mentioned on news channels and in newspapers, major mainstream media coverage failed to thoroughly and accurately inform Americans about the case, as most of the stories were bias and deficient.
The L.A. Times epitomized the inadequate coverage on Oct. 18. I flipped through too many pages in that issue before I finally found the Hussein story buried on inside page, A8. I read the entire article and never found any mention of Dujayl. Since this particular trial focuses on the massacre in that town, it is unacceptable that the L.A. Times failed to mention the incident and the hundreds who were tortured or killed there.
The writer did, however, remember to focus on shedding negative light by saying “Many Iraqis say they are indifferent to the trial,” and then by legitimizing that assertion by quoting one Sunni cleric who said, “The trial of Saddam is becoming a farce and a joke.”
How can referencing one Sunni’s opinion legitimize the rash assertion that “many” Iraqis are apathetic about the trial? That article not only left out vital information on the trial, but it presented obvious and unnecessary bias.
Other news sources focused their stories on the supposed “unfairness” of the trial.
“Human rights groups doubt the former dictator will get a fair trial, with five inexperienced judges unable to resist pressure for swift justice, and his legal team with little time to answer the charges,” ABC “World News Tonight” reporter, Jim Sciutto said Oct. 18.
Saddam brutally murdered, tortured and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of people. His evil dictatorship was unbelievably unfair. Unlike the mainstream media, I have trouble worrying so much about the fairness of his trial.
Focusing so little on the fact that a tyrant will finally be held accountable for his crimes and putting so much emphasis on “unfairness” of the trial is ridiculous.
The proceedings for the Dujayl case were postponed until late November so that defense lawyers can better prepare. This month-long postponement is a perfect opportunity for the mainstream media to get its act together and brainstorm ways to accurately report the remaining trials.
Americans cannot forget that U.S. soldiers pulled that scoundrel from the dirt hole where he was cowardly hiding and relieved a country from indisputable suffering under Saddam’s vile tyranny.
The trial that began Oct. 19 signifies that accomplishment and deserves ample media attention.
Regardless of understandable questioning over America’s involvement in Iraq, it is inexcusable for the mainstream media or any American to deny or downplay Saddam’s capture and prosecution, which are virtuous and historic accomplishments.
Submitted 10-27-2005
MALIBU, CA
