Earlier this week, acclaimed journalist Peter Arnett was fired from CNBC, NBC and National Geographic after he appeared on state-run Iraqi television reporting on the failure of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. “Clearly, the American war plans misjudged the determination of the Iraqi forces,” Arnett said during the interview broadcast by Iraq’s satellite television station and monitored by The Associated Press in Egypt.
After the interview, NBC news supported Arnett, saying the interview was done out of professional courtesy and in an analytical manner. But within 12 hours, Arnett was fired, and NBC said, “It was wrong for Mr. Arnett to grant an interview to state-controlled Iraqi TV, especially at a time of war. And it was wrong for him to discuss his personal observations and opinions in that interview.” The first fault in the Arnett firing was the inconsistency of NBC, but Arnett definitely shared in the blame.
Under the First Amendment, Americans are guaranteed the right of free speech, which is precisely what Arnett was practicing. However, as a journalist Arnett is not held to the same standard as everyone else. A journalist’s job is to report fair, accurate, unbiased news. What Arnett said on Iraqi television was far from that – it was his opinion on how the war is playing out. Newspapers and television have used military sources that say similar things about the war, but these people have experienced training in the military, they are not journalists. Arnett and NBC’s credibility as a fact-finding news outlet were put into jeopardy by Arnett’s remarks.
Many argue that it’s the fact that Arnett reported the information on state-run Iraqi television that was the firable offense. Many believe his interview could charge Iraqis with a renewed sense of vigor with which to fight the war. But one can’t overlook that few Iraqis can get the necessary satellite access to be privy to CNN reports that America is behind schedule in this war.
Soon after he was fired, Arnett was hired by The Daily Mirror, a London newspaper. Let’s hope that in his new position he better balances his opinions as an observer against his role as a journalist.
