Houston Media Watch - Houston March 19, 2005 Iraqi Protest Reports
by Media Watcher Sunday, Mar. 20, 2005 at 5:19 AM

On March 19, 2005, protests against the second anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq were held in Houston and throughout the world. This review compares protest coverage of four late evening television local news programs: KPRC Channel 2, KHOU Channel 11, KTRK Channel 13, and FOX 26.

audio: MP3 at 123.8 kibibytes

KPRC and KTRK’s local news programs devoted most of their coverage to President Bush’s justification for the war, especially with the use of his weekly radio address in which he justified the invasion, touted accomplishments and thanked troops. In both cases, the reports appeared deep into the news coverage. KPRC didn’t mention other protests around the world and KTRK had no video footage of the Houston protests and made only general mentioned of them. Neither program mentioned the ongoing daily violence occurring in Iraq. More examination of these reports is below, including audio attachments.

KHOU and Fox each had more comprehensive coverage of the Houston and world protests. Fox placed the story as its second news story. KHOU provided an update of the fighting that is still going on in Iraq. Both programs also included a counter report, interviews with contrasting opinions. Summaries of the KHOU and Fox reports are below.

Channel 2 KPRC (NBC) Local News at 10pm, March 19, 2005

[Rachel McNeill, anchor, begins reporting] Two years after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, reaction to the war is still mixed. President Bush says that the effort which began with the bombing in Baghdad on March 20, 2003, has increased freedom around the world. Today he used his weekly radio address to thank soldiers for their sacrifice.

[Audio from Bush March 19, 2005 radio address] To all the brave members of our Armed Forces who have taken part in this historic mission, and to your families, I express the heartfelt thanks of the American people. I know that nothing can end the pain of the families who have lost loved ones in this struggle, but they can know that their sacrifice has added to America's security and the freedom of the world.

[Rachel McNeill continues] The president adds that removing Saddam Hussein from power has paved the way for peace across the entire Middle East. Those who did not see it the President’s way gathered to protest against the war. Nearly 100 demonstrators marched from Dunlavy Park to Bell Park where a rally was held calling for an end to the war. The event was put on by the March 19 coalition and several other peace related organizations. [end of report]

General notes on the report

• The protest report was the tenth report and followed: storm weather update, earthquake in Japan, Congress gets involved in Florida life support case and report on local case, apartment fire, store fire, 3 vehicle crash last night, 18 month old girl drowning, tribute to fire fighters, and 9 year old in Florida found dead.
  
• No mention of other protests around the country and world were made.
  
• Report time was approximately 62 seconds. Bush comments received about 40 seconds. Protest coverage received about 16 seconds. Another 6 seconds, initial sentence, was a fairly neutral statement.
  
• President Bush comments go unchallenged.
  
• There was no report on the evening memorial held at the City Hall.
  

Notes on visual aspects of the report

• The first four seconds of the report starts with the words “OPERATION : IRAQI FREEDOM: 2 YEARS LATER” appearing across the full screen and an image of the US flag waving in the background.
  
• For 27 seconds during the report, the caption “PRESIDENT THANKS TROOPS” appears on the lower part of the screen in large block letters.
  
• During an early part of the report, KPRC shows the falling of the Saddam statute. This had been widely reported as a staged event.
  
• Video of Houston protest starts with a close up of 4 protesters wearing bandanas covering their faces.
  

Channel 13 KTRK (ABC) Local News at 10pm, March 19, 2005

[Tom Abahams, anchor, reports after the Japan earthquake report] Still to come, the Iraqi War two years later, tonight President Bush talks about what the Iraqis have accomplished since the US-led invasion.

[Tom Abahams, after Houston Zoo report] When we come back President Bush reflects on what he says Iraqis have accomplished since the US-led invasion started two years ago today.

[Video and Audio Footage of Bush on March 19, 2003] Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force and I assure you this will not be a campaign of half measures and we will accept no outcome but victory.

[Tom Abahams reports] That was two years ago tonight, President Bush announcing the beginning of the US-led the war in Iraq. On his weekly radio address today, Mr. Bush talked about what Iraqis have accomplished since then.

[Audio from Bush March 19, 2005 radio address] Now because we acted, Iraq's government is no longer a threat to the world or its own people. Today the Iraqi people are taking charge of their own destiny. In January, over eight million Iraqis defied the car bombers and assassins to vote in free elections. This week, Iraq's Transitional National Assembly convened for the first time.

[Tom Abahams continues] President Bush also said the US is a safer place now because of the war in Iraq. [start of video of Pittsburgh protest] Hundreds of anti-war protestors armed with signs and drums hit the streets in Pittsburgh. They are demanding an end to the war in Iraq. Similar protests were held in New York, Ohio, and North Carolina. There were similar protests held all over the world in fact, and right here in Houston. [end of report]

General notes on the report

• The protest report was the twelfth report and followed: storm weather update, Congress gets involved in Florida life support case, local life support cases, 18 month old girl drowning, vehicle crash, store fire, section of light rail track is open again, earthquake in Japan, Houston Rodeo highlights, full weather report, and Houston Zoo “Go Wild Day“.
  
• Only a slight mention of the Houston protests with no accompanying video footage.
  
• Reporting time, including two “still to come” statements was approximately 89 seconds. About 14 seconds was dedicated to talking about protests against the war, the remainder of the time was spent talking about President Bush and his claims of accomplishment.
  
• Bush statements go unchallenged.
  

Fox 26 Local News at 9pm, March 19, 2005

Summary - Fox had about two minutes of coverage (second news report) of the second anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. Reports of protests mentioned New York and European protests including those in London and Rome. Fox included live and taped reports from the memorial held at City Hall, and a taped report of the Dunlavy Park protest. Interview with a local Lt Colonel of the US Army Reserve who said the invasion was necessary (without explanation) and Iraqi people are just like us.

Channel 11 KHOU (CBS) Local News at 10 pm, March 19, 2005

Summary - KHOU had about three minutes of comprehensive coverage (approximately the eighth report) of the second anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq. Reporting included video footage of the Dunlavy Park protest and the memorial held at City Hall, including interviews of demonstrators at Dunlavy Park and one war supporter at the memorial held at City Hall. KHOU also reported on global protests against the war including in New York, California, 45,000 in London, Asia, Italy and Jerusalem. In addition, KHOU reported on today’s insurgent attacks across Iraq including in the Green Zone, a killing of a police officer in Kirkuk, the killing of three Iraqi policemen in a funeral procession, and attacks on oil pipelines.

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KTRK Protest Report Audio
by Media Watcher Sunday, Mar. 20, 2005 at 5:19 AM

audio: MP3 at 175.1 kibibytesaudio: MP3 at 175.1 kibibytes

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