Cover Story
by Lane Bjelkevig
Previous Cover Stories | Send mail to The Voice
Media reporting in Afghanistan rarely shows heroic deeds
U.S. soldiers make daily raids throughout Afghanistan, looking for
weapons, Taliban leaders and the biggest prize, Osama Bin Laden.
Soliders find unexploded munitions. -Free stock photos, photo
Nathan Davey, 32, son of Multnomah maintenance department's Fran Davey, served the United States in Afghanistan for six months. He said he feels what's actually happening in Afghanistan doesn't fit the media's "agenda." In fact, he feels that major portions of the stories are left out.
"Case in point; in December, it was reported that a grenade was thrown into a U.S. vehicle, seriously wounding the occupants," Davey said. "What they did not report was that the occupant could have thrown the grenade out but didn't because he was in a crowded marketplace and didn't want to hurt innocent civilians. "This soldier lost a leg and one of his hands. The media refuses to tell about sacrifices such as this made by many soldiers."
Davey is a Sgt. 1st Class of the 704th Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Company stationed on a base in Missouri. He spent June through December, 2003, serving in Afghanistan and has served in the Army for nearly 15 years.
Davey said hefeels the media is lacking first-hand information--simply real, on-site reporting. His service showed him very centralized reporting by the media that fit large, broad stories of the war into a very narrow scope based on limited sources.
"My experience has been that the reporter does this big story about what is happening all over the country, but never leaves Kabul," Davey said.
Conversely, some soldiers feel the war effort is far better than what the media projects. Iraq and Afghanistan are prospering because of American influence and service.
"We are doing the right thing in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 99 percent of the people are happy and grateful that we are there. It is the one percent doing the attacks that gets the media." Davey said.
Many U.S. soldiers serving the Middle East saw the good brought to these countries through their efforts, Davey said. Since the U.S. government occupied Afghanistan, the land in Kandahar City alone has gone from $20 an acre under Taliban rule to $300 an acre under U.S. control.
New buildings are being constructed rapidly and economic growth is improving daily. Roads are paved, wells are dug and schools have been rebuilt. Public work projects started by the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) are constantly improving the way of life for the common Afghani. Kandahar's hydroelectric dam is also being rebuilt, long ignored by the Taliban.
"Children now fly kites, listen to music, and smile, whereas under the Taliban, this was all illegal," Davey said.
The media's misconception appears to be largely due to the time expectations and slow developments. The expectation for the country to make an overnight change is unrealistic.
Davey said, "All this rebuilding takes time, however. You don't rebuild a destroyed infrastructure overnight. The media thinks we can do this in a couple months."
Much of the media coverage appears to be negative because many people simply read what bleeds, and because of journalists' limited sources of information.
The U.S. brought hope to these Middle Eastern countries. America's war effort is progressing, although minor setbacks do occur. Just as America helped to encourage growth in these countries, Americans have encouraged its soldiers.
"I know we appreciated 'Dear Soldier' cards that simply said 'We are thinking of you' or 'We appreciate you.' Although they were anonymous, just the thanks of Americans back home went a long way." Davey said.
Previous Cover Stories | Top Of Page
Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website
© 2003 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.