CNN Concedes To The White House: It's Now A "Terrorist Surveillance Program"


Sean-Paul Kelley | San Antonio | February 15

The Agonist - Exactly a half-month ago I urged all Agonistas to be vigilant media watchers and be wary of the "terrorist surveillance program" terminology slipping into common usage. It took fifteen days and the Vice President shooting someone but CNN is now using "terrorist surveillance program" instead of what it really is, "a domestic spying program."

Actually the usage is catching on in a lot of places. This needs to be stopped. Why? Because if we cede the semantics of debate in this saturated media environment the other side is halfway to victory.

Call CNN and ask politely why they have adopted the Bush Administration's terminology instead of the factual terminology. Sending faxes works very well too.:  

CNN, One CNN Center, Box 105366, Atlanta, GA 30303-5366 Phone: 404-827-1500 Fax: 404-827-1906.



Sean Paul Kelley February 16, 2006 - 11:40am
( categories: News | Media Criticism )

Obviously they weren't watching Cheney!

kimmy February 15, 2006 - 8:51pm

of their FAX getting spammed by the wingnuts, and getting called by corporate advertisers who were probably getting hammered in similar fashion.

Still, I gave up on much of CNN a while ago.... I watch Anderson Cooper because he still has the crusading spirit...actually goes out and gets the story still.  I also flip around until I can watch Cafferty...he's shaping up to be a younger verion of Andy Rooney, who I find to be a kick in the ass.  Christiane needs to get herself to a real News outfit, though.....she's underutilised where she is right now.   the rest are a complete waste.

I wonder what will be the event that acts as the collective kick to the groin that snaps the MSM out of its lethargy?  Shutting down the Grey Lady for treasonous activity?  Arresting critical reporters on live TV?  

justadood February 16, 2006 - 3:20am

If there are 325,000 terrorists NSA is surveilling in the United States, why doesn't Bush just arrest them and give them the choice of going to Gitmo without charges or any chance of seeing a judge, or play The Most Dangerous Game* with Dick on some big Republican ranch in Texas?

(*Most Dangerous Game (B&W) (1932)

Starring: Joel McCrea, Fay Wray)

Titan1 February 15, 2006 - 9:40pm

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