The Truth Revealed

For the most part, everything we hear about the Bush administration and current government policy comes from the media. Whether the information is seen on television, heard on the radio or read in a newspaper, the media is the primary source for Americans' news. Can we be sure that the news media is giving us an unbiased report presenting all the facts? How can we know we are not being fed lie after lie? \nThe U.S. government controls the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates television and radio stations. These stations would essentially be risking their licenses by speaking out against the government in certain circumstances. So how can we ever really know the truth about what our government is up to and the motives behind our leaders' actions? \nThe Media Education Foundation, with its new documentary, "Hijacking Catastrophe: 9-11, Fear & the Selling of American Empire," narrated by NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, is hoping to shed some light on the subject of American government policy and the motives behind recent political actions. Thanks in part to Bloomington residents Rob Stone and Karen Green Stone, this documentary will premiere at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater next Monday. \nThe MEF was founded in 1991 by University of Massachusetts communications professor Sut Jhally after MTV threatened to take legal action against him for using their music video images to portray representations of gender in the media. \n"MTV tried to sue me, but then they realized they did not want to be on the wrong side of a free speech issue," says Jhally. \nHis encounter with MTV made national headlines and inspired him to start MEF, a not-for-profit, public interest organization dedicated to media literacy and education. To date, MEF has produced some 40 films that deal with issues such as gender, commercialization of the media, media ownership and politics. MEF's recent political documentary, "Hijacking Catastrophe," could not have come at a more critical time. \n"The next election is a watershed mark in American history. It will affect civil liberties, military spending and money that will not go into education and health care," say Jhally. "We wanted to create a film that gave Americans some background on what is going on." \n"Hijacking Catastrophe" focuses on how national intelligence and post-Sept. 11 fear, among other things, were manipulated in order to change U.S. policy and put into action a plan for aggressive military intervention in Iraq. \n"Before Sept. 11 (the Bush administration) wanted to invade Iraq, but they had to connect Iraq with Sept. 11. So an office was setup at the Pentagon to create this lie about weapons of mass destruction," says Jhally. "They knew they could push this through because Americans will be so scared." \nThe documentary looks at how a group of neo-conservative republicans used the national fear following Sept. 11 to radically change U.S. policy unbeknownst to the American public. For instance, according to an interview from the film, the government can now legally go into your house, bug your phones, set up cameras and seize documents, and there is nothing you can do about it. So long fourth amendment! \nFurthermore, the documentary goes on to discuss how an Arab man was arrested and detained for several months without ever being charged with a crime, which essentially annihilates habeas corpus. \nProfessor Jhally hopes to distribute this film as widely as possible, whether it is shown in classes, churches or anywhere people gather. \n"This is important stuff. We need to show this around," says Stone. "This film shows what a deep hole we are in regarding foreign policy. It makes the case that we are in trouble and that the war has been sold to us." \nOne particular issue that "Hijacking Catastrophe" explores is the media representation of the war in Iraq. Americans may not realize how glorified the war is made out to be on television and how the horrors of war are completely overlooked. \n"The mainstream media was presenting the war as entertainment, not as people on the other side being affected," says Green Stone. \nInstead of seeing wounded or dead soldiers, television news shows clips of Americans strategically preparing for battle. The Iraqi death count is never mentioned. We are never given the other side of the story. Perhaps if people knew what was really going on, they would not sit back and allow their tax dollars to be spent on an essentially meaningless war. \n"Our sense is that our democracy is at risk right now," says Green Stone. \nThis statement could not be closer to the truth. When our president ignores the United Nations and pushes for massive increases in military spending (according to the film America's military spending last year was nearly equal to every other country's military spending combined), how can foreign nations not see America as a bully? \n"At the present time, one person can declare war," says Jhally. "The Supreme Court appointed Bush. In an empire, a ruler is appointed. You cannot have an empire and a democracy at the same time." \nIt is important for people who have any interest whatsoever in the affairs of their government to see this film. We live in a supposed democracy, which means government for the people, by the people. If we do not get involved, we are giving up our basic democratic rights. \n"The movie does not say vote democratic, but people will probably feel that way after watching the film," says Stone. "We're hoping it will motivate and activate people."\nProfessor Jhally has similar motivations for distributing this film as widely as possible. \n"We're selling this tape to individuals at a very cheap price, because we want to get people who haven't voted before to vote," says Jhally. "We hope people will get more involved, become activists in some way (and) become real participants."\nAccording to Jhally, if George W. Bush is elected to a second consecutive term, he will have the opportunity to prolong his present course of action and make America the military superpower of the world. With all the money being spent on war, funds are diverted that could be spent on education, health care and social security, which will likely not even be around when younger generations are old enough to benefit from it. \nWhile these issues may not hit close enough to home for everyone, talk of reinstating the draft certainly should. If the war in Iraq continues long enough into the future, there is a good chance that more troops will be needed than are available. \nIU graduate Katherine Schwartz was very affected by watching "Hijacking Catastrophe" and hopes that it will have a similar effect on others who see it. \n"I hope that the film will motivate people to vote wisely," says Schwartz.\n"Hijacking Catastrophe" sends an important message that is well produced and visually captivating. It may surprise and shock, but its message must be heard. \nFor more information, visit www.mediaed.org