Unreliable Watchdog: The News Media and U.S. Foreign Policy

by Ted Galen Carpenter

Overview

Freedom of press is a cornerstone of our democratic political system. But reporters, pundits, and editors face intense pressure to serve as propagandists rather than journalists in their coverage of U.S. foreign policy. Too many members of the news media seem unable to make that distinction and play their proper role as watchdogs for the American people regarding possible government incompetence or misconduct. Since World War II, America has become a garrison state―always prepared for armed conflict—and the conflating of journalism and propaganda has grown worse, even in situations that do not involve actual combat for the United States. That behavior increasingly constrains and distorts the public’s consideration of Washington’s role in the world.

In Unreliable Watchdog, Ted Galen Carpenter focuses on the nature and extent of the American news media’s willingness to accept official accounts and policy justifications, too often throwing skepticism aside. He takes readers through an examination of the media’s performance with respect to the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the conflicts in the Balkans, the prelude to the Iraq War, the civil wars in Libya and Syria, and Washington’s post–Cold War relations with both Russia and China. The analysis explores why most journalists―as well as social media platforms―seem willing to collaborate with government officials in pushing an activist foreign policy, even when tactics or results have been questionable, disappointing, or even disastrous.

Unreliable Watchdog jump-starts a badly needed conversation about how the press must improve its coverage of foreign policy and national security issues if it is to serve its proper role for the American people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781952223341
Publisher:	Cato Institute
Publication date:	11/29/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	540
Sales rank:	745,916
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Ted Galen Carpenter is senior fellow for defense and foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute. Carpenter served as Cato’s director of foreign policy studies from 1986 to 1995 and as vice president for defense and foreign policy studies from 1995 to 2011. He is the author of 12 books, including NATO: The Dangerous Dinosaur (2019), The Fire Next Door: Mexico’s Drug Violence and the Danger to America (2012), and The Captive Press: Foreign Policy Crises and the First Amendment (1995).

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION An Ambiguous Press Legacy on Foreign Policy

CHAPTER 1 A Century of Hawkish Sentiments

CHAPTER 2 A (Belated) Vietnam Wakeup Call and Its Aftermath

CHAPTER 3 New Restraints and Enticements: Grenada, the Gulf War, and Somalia

CHAPTER 4 Advocacy Journalism and Propaganda: Press Coverage of the Balkan Wars

CHAPTER 5 Recirculating Government Disinformation on Iraq

CHAPTER 6 Cheerleading for Humanitarian Crusades: Libya and Syria

CHAPTER 7 Toxic Bias Pollutes Russia Coverage

CHAPTER 8 Volatile Media Perspectives Regarding China

CHAPTER 9 Groupthink and Club Membership

CHAPTER 10 Harassing Journalistic Dissenters

CHAPTER 11 The Press as a Subsidiary of the National Security State

CHAPTER 12 A Changing Media Landscape: The Growth of Social Media

CONCLUSION The Media’s Obligation to Serve as Foreign Policy Watchdog