CBS White House Correspondent, Military Veterans Discuss War in the Media

By Andrew Desiderio

In an event co-sponsored by the GW Office of Military and Veteran Student Services and the Media Student Community Council (MSCC), SMPA Distinguished Fellow and CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett moderated a panel discussion Wednesday on the subject of coverage of war in the media.

Panelists included Capt. (Ret.) James Graybeal, a former top military communications officer, Mitchell Bent, the president of GW Veterans, Dominic Amaral, a student veteran, and Professor Sean Aday, an SMPA professor and the director of GW’s Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication.

Garrett led the discussion regarding the relationship between journalists and the government when they are covering foreign wars. Bent elaborated on how the camera lens “thickens the fog” of getting to the true story. Unfortunately, according to Bent, the media only report on bad things and tend to ignore the positive aspects of the soldiers’ lives.

He mentioned specifically the “sensationalization” of the coverage of Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who went on a rampage and killed 16 innocent Afghan civilians. Bent believes there should be more of an emphasis on the good things, like the soldiers who used their bodies to protect children during a firefight.

Amaral told of how embedded reporters are absolutely adored by soldiers. Speaking specifically of the reporter embedded in his platoon, “we enjoyed the guy’s company.”

He would also joke with his fellow soldiers, “check this out, he came to Baghdad and didn’t bring a gun!”

For Amaral, the journalists provided the soldiers with a “steady break from the routine norms” of war.

Amaral also explained to the audience a story regarding a reporter whose credentials were pulled for taking pictures after a car bomb wipes out a market. This, he believes, is not right. The American public, in his opinion, deserves to know what is happening during a war that they are funding with their taxpayer money.

Capt. Graybeal, as chief spokesperson for many military organizations, firmly believed that he had a “sacred obligation” to tell Americans how they are spending their tax dollars. His goal was “to provide transparency and to make sure they’re more informed voters”

Capt. Graybeal was also responsible for outlining a “comprehensive set of ground rules” of what journalists could report about. Many of the limitations were due to national security concerns. We “didn’t want to reveal inappropriate details to the enemy,” Capt. Graybeal said.

He also discussed the often completely different persona taken on by journalists on their Twitter and other social media accounts while covering foreign wars, and how 1^st Amendment/freedom of speech issues always arose.

Prof. Sean Aday, who teaches the War in Media class in the School of Media and Public Affairs, explained his belief that war coverage is more often more “episodic,” and less “thematic.”

Aday also discussed the biases journalists have towards Americans, whether it’s only reporting on American casualties, or only trusting American sources for their reports.

He also explained how journalists are targets in war. “There’s no security that you’ll be respected by all sides.”

Overall, Prof. Aday believes that we, the American public, need the whole picture, which consists of reporting casualties, strategies, holding people accountable for decisions, among other aspects.

Major Garrett, who moderated the panel discussion, said that there are “tremendous pressures [war] reporters feel to distill” information. He also touched upon the physical training process journalists must go through before they are officially embedded.

Speaking of possible governmental limitations, Major said, “imagine – yes, you can be an embed, but you can’t use Twitter.” The social media limitations, he believes, are extremely relevant to the discussion over journalists’ rights as war reporters.

In a conversation that was slightly off-topic, Major Garrett criticized those in his profession for their “desire to be first” in breaking news stories. He specifically referenced the inaccurate reports of the name of the Sandy Hook shooter.

“I’d rather be second and right, then first and wrong.”

Former U.N. Ambassador Visits SMPA to talk Benghazi, American Diplomacy

by Andrew Desiderio

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Thomas Pickering visited the School of Media and Public Affairs on Tuesday, in an event sponsored by the Walter Roberts Endowment and the GW Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication.

At the event, titled “Beyond Benghazi: U.S. Public Diplomacy in Troubled Times,” Pickering spoke extensively of his experiences as co-chair of the Accountability Review Board (ARB) report, which detailed what went wrong during the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya. The attack resulted in the death of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens.

SMPA Fellow Tara Sonenshine, the former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, opened the event by emphasizing Pickering’s service to this nation in his many roles within the federal government. “Tonight, we really honor him for extraordinary service,” Sonenshine said.

SMPA Director Frank Sesno, who offered personal insight regarding Ambassador Pickering’s service while Sesno was the White House correspondent for CNN, moderated the discussion. Sesno said Pickering was always one of his most reliable sources.

Sesno began the conversation by asking Pickering what the Benghazi attack has meant for the U.S. and our influence abroad. “Benghazi was a blow,” he said asserted. Pickering was emotional when speaking of Ambassador Stevens, who was a close friend of his: “A friend tragically died under circumstances that should never be repeated.”

But what exactly went wrong in Benghazi on that fateful day? “We made a series of quite harsh findings,” Pickering asserted, claiming that our forces were “caught short.” There was, according to Pickering, an element of failed leadership on the part of many government officials in carrying out basic responsibilities in Benghazi.

“It was not possible for us, in these special circumstances, to dodge the bullet.”

Pickering outlined many of the specific problems that were present in Benghazi. Local authorities and law enforcement were particularly absent in Benghazi. Specifically, security protection overlooked the potential for fire and arson at the compound: “We learned, in fact, that fire is a weapon,” Pickering said.

The diplomatic mission in Benghazi was “too big a compound,” with “too few people protecting it,” Pickering said of his findings outlined in the ARB report.

Overall, “there should be no exceptions to the rules for dealing with security.” Benghazi, unfortunately, was an exception.

Another important aspect of the Benghazi probe is the media coverage and partisanship which has come along with it. To the ambassador’s dismay, he has seen what he calls the “worst kind of partisan strife,” and an “embarrassing level of party politics at the lowest level of mud wrestling.”

Pickering did not mince his words, and did not sugarcoat the issue at hand. He compared the hyped-up media coverage to winning a “Pulitzer Prize in creative fiction.”

But with all of the extensive reporting and evaluations of what went wrong in Benghazi, Sesno asked, has there been appropriate accountability for what went wrong? Pickering’s answer was an emphatic “yes.”

Furthermore, when asked if the Benghazi incident exposed vulnerability for then-Sec. of State Hillary Clinton if she decided to run for president in 2016, Pickering asserted that Clinton and President Obama were not responsible for any of the wrongdoings.

When asked about the current political environment, Pickering made the case that Washington has become increasingly out-of-touch with what is going on, in the sense that key positions are widely populated by political appointees who, to his dismay, have little or no abroad experience.

“Every administration wants their own people in the key jobs, and they’re not necessarily the people who have spent their life in the field and who know what’s going on,” Pickering explained.

In addition, Pickering believes that our government has, in many ways, less of a capacity to listen to what foreign governments are thinking and saying, even though our media outlets here in the U.S. report on it extensively. He cited Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in their criticisms of U.S. public diplomacy.

Finally, Pickering offered valuable advice to those seeking careers in Foreign Service: “Learn as much as you can about your job and what other people do. Be committed to service, and don’t worry too much about your next assignment. Go regularly to church, synagogue, or mosque, and pray for luck.”

Interview with Al Jazeera America's Joie Chen

WRGW News Reporter Andrew Desiderio interviewed Al Jazeera America's Joie Chen, the host of America Tonight, to discuss America Tonight's special town hall show about the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.  The show will air Friday, November 1st at 9pm on Al Jazeera America.

Interview with Al Jazeera America's Joie Chen by Wrgw_News on Mixcloud

Government Shutdown has Created Problems for GW Community

By Alex Nowakowski

The federal government shutdown that began on October 1^st, sending all nonessential federal employees home indefinitely and putting government funding hold, has shown some but not huge effects on the University. But if Congress fails to end the shutdown, there could be negative consequences for GW students and professors.

The Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service has estimated that 50 students have had trouble receiving federal aid, as they have been prevented from working at their federal work study programs. GW Spokesman Kurtis Hiatt said that the Law School, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and School of Public Health and Health Services reported that students have faced challenges regarding their credit-bearing internships with federal agencies.

“The schools are seeking solutions that that will allow students to make additional progress toward their credit requirements after the shutdown ends,” Hiatt said.

GW’s rowing teams has been affected as well due to the current closing of the Thompson Boat Center, a National Park Service facility. The teams are currently using space at the Anacostia Community Boathouse, which was offered by Gonzaga College High School.

Faculty research has for the most part not been affected by the shutdown, but some grants have been stalled. The Health Resources and Services Administration issued a stop-work order on health policy Professor Marsha Regenstein’s $2.3 million grant to study the effectiveness of community-based teaching hospitals.

When WRGW News contacted Regenstein, she had no further comment.

The National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation are still providing grant funding, but have advised institutions, including GW, not to submit new grant requests.

 “The real problem comes with new research projects. No one is reviewing the proposals our faculty have already submitted, and there is no one to accept new submissions,” Chemistry Department Operations Manager Shanna Roth said. 

A failure to raise the debt ceiling, which reaches its capacity at midnight, creates the possibility of delayed Medicare and student-aid payments. According to Forbes Magazine, if these student aid payments are delayed, it will be colleges that would have to make-up the difference for the lack of money from the Department of Education, not students or parents.

Those most likely to be hurt by a continued shutdown or a failure to raise the debt ceiling would be Veterans. The approximate 1,000 students receiving benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs are unable to access technical assistance. The Department of Veterans Affairs has informed GW that it may be unable to pay benefits, including housing stipends, if the shutdown continues.

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense has suspended issuance of new tuition assistance awards to active duty students. If the shutdown continues to the start of next semester, active duty military students will not receive aid for those classes.

Andrew Desiderio contributed to this report. 

At SMPA Event Members of Congress Discuss Corporate Dominance of Media & Politics

By Andrew Desiderio

The School of Media and Public Affairs on Wednesday hosted Robert McChesney and John Nichols, the co-founders of Free Press, an interest group which advocates for a more dynamic media landscape. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) was the keynote speaker at the event held in Jack Morton Auditorium.

“The issues they raise are at the core of what corrupts American democracy,” Frank Sesno, the Director of SMPA, said as he opened the event.

Free Press has devoted its time over the past decade to combatting corporate and governmental control over various media outlets. They do this by crafting policy proposals, conducting research, testifying before Congress, and arguing before courts in order to advocate what they believe are effective and fair media policies.

McChesney and Nichols devoted much of the time to discussing their new book, Dollarocracy, which outlines how U.S. elections are essentially controlled by a wealthy class of consultants. 

“Money rules [our elections], not the will of the people,” McChesney said when explaining the main idea of the book. “The political system does not reflect the values of the people in this country.”

Free Press actively promotes net neutrality and decries Internet censorship. 

“The open Internet is still under attack,"   Craig Aaron, the President and CEO of Free Press, said. "The surveillance state surpasses some of our worst nightmares,”

In introducing Senator Bernie Sanders, Aaron praised him. 

“We need so many more people like Bernie Sanders in Washington today.”

Sanders spoke of his main objective to eliminate the “oligarchic form of society” under which we currently live and how media consolidation, Citizens United Supreme Court decision, and corporate interest groups are “corrupting” American politics.

“To get legislation passed that does not have the seal of approval from Wall Street and corporate America – it’s not going to happen,” said Sanders of the wealthy corporate donors who are, in his view, causing the gridlock in Washington.

Nichols also spoke of how democracy and diplomacy “replaced” a full-scale war in Syria. The American people were wary and skeptical of war, Nichols said, and the government listened to them. 

“When the American people are heard, good things happen,”  Nichols continued. 

This was an example, Nichols asserted, of how the media complex failed in ginning up support for another unpopular war.

Although Free Press considers itself a non-partisan organization, Nichols espoused what are often considered to be more progressive beliefs. 

“We must create a constitutional amendment that says money is not speech. Corporations are not people.” Nichols commented.  “We also have a responsibility to eliminate the Electoral College,” citing the fact that George W. Bush lost by 540,000 votes in 2000 but still became President. Nichols also advocates the overturning of the Supreme Court's Citizens United, decision which allowed for unlimited corporate and union donations to political causes and campaigns.

Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), who represents the district where Nichols and McChesney live, also spoke in support of the initiatives taken by Free Press. Pocan introduced constitutional amendments that would overturn Citizens United, declare that money contributions to campaigns are not free speech, and  corporations are not people. 

Event Organizers Look To Move-On After Gorbachev Cancels GW Event

By Andrew Desiderio

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev last Thursday canceled his upcoming visit to GW on October 1st due to health reasons.  The cancellation came just days after The School of Media and Public Affairs and the Media Student Community Council (MSCC), one of the event's co-sponsors, announced that SMPA Director Frank Sesno would interview Gorbachev in Lisner Auditorium. 

Now, SMPA and the Media Student Community Council, who spent months planning the event, are determined to move forward.

“President Gorbachev is welcome to appear at GW at any time, and we await word from his agency on when that may occur,” said Samara Sit, the Director of Administration and Special Projects for SMPA.

Gorbachev recently backed out of other events for health reasons, including Margaret Thatcher’s funeral in April.

The former Soviet leader was also supposed to speak at Principia College in Illinois on Oct. 3^rd, just two days after he planned on speaking at GW. GW would have been Gorbachev’s only DC stop on his US tour.

Student reaction across campus has been one of disappointment.  

“I’m a little bit disappointed, but I understand the circumstances," said Jonathan Adams, a Columbian College Freshman.  "I’m sure there will be an opportunity for him to return sometime in the future. I wish him the best with his health.” 

The Media Student Community Council was surprised by the news but is quickly looking to move forward.

“I speak for myself as well as the rest of the MSCC E-board when I say that we were utterly devastated by today’s news,” John Torrisi, chairman of MSCC, wrote in an email to members.

Torrisi, a GW senior in SMPA, attempted to lift members’ spirits.  

“We will work diligently with SMPA to replace this event with a bigger and better one later this school year.”

Despite the apparent disappointment around campus, Torrisi assured MSCC members that the organization’s goal is to bring another world-class speaker to GW. 

“I promise you that we will work tirelessly to achieve it.”

In the email sent to members, there is a link to a survey that asks members to name current or former Heads of State they would like to see speak on campus.  

In the first Student Association Senate meeting of the academic year on September 9th  SA Finance Chair Ryan Counihan reported that the Student Association had contributed thousands of dollars for the Gorbachev event.  Counihan told WRGW News, though, that there is no policy in place that the event either needs be replaced or the money needs to be returned.  However, he would not comment further about what would happen with the money until the next Student Association Senate Meeting, which will be on October 7th. 

McKinley Kant and Myles Goldman contributed to this report.