Many Americans have a strong sense that they are not getting the real news. Walter Cronkite has publicly complained about media manipulation. Jeff Cohen, Executive Director of FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting), delivers a stinging critique of mainstream media coverage of the Gulf War. He demonstrates, with many examples, how National Public Radio, Nightline, MacNeil/Lehrer, the New York Times and others parrot the Administration's position. They present only a narrow spectrum of opinion, and when critical voices are presented, they are given short shrift and thus marginalized. The Gulf War, Cohen contends, is a carefully managed effort in controlling and managing the news. Cohen shows how crucial poll questions are framed to produce desired responses. Interview.

Jeff Cohen
Jeff Cohen is founder of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR), the New York-based media watch group. His columns appear on commondreams.org and other websites. He's author of "The Way Things Aren't: Rush Limbaugh's Reign of Error," and "Wizards of Media Oz." His latest book is "Cable News Confidential."