Poodle or Pitbull?

In chapter nine, Helen finally starts to make some important points about the current state of journalism. I agree with her when she says at the end of chapter nine, that journalists could have prevented the U.S. from going to war in Iraq, if they had only put the spotlight on George Bush's plans to go to war from the beginning. I liked the quote she got from Ted Stannard, "When watchdogs, bird dogs, and bulldogs morph into lapdogs, lazydogs, or yellow dogs, the nation is in trouble." The lack of watchdog journalism gave the people in power a free pass to go to war. Now that this crisis has happened, many journalists are waking up from their slumber and they are starting to reapply the pressure. There still needs to be more though.

In chapter ten, she continues talking about Iraq but kind of veers off the main topic of watchdog journalism once again. She talks about the dangers journalists face when they are out in the field reporting combat situations. In Iraq journalists are often the target of attack. Unlike Vietnam, where a journalism badge could grant a reporter immunity or at least save their life. The journalist who risk their lives to keep the public informed are very courageous. And should be commended for what they have done.