Have media learned any lessons from Iraq war coverage?
Does media coverage of the Iran War, like reporting about the Iraq war 20+ years ago, pour gasoline on the flames of conflict and promote pro-war narratives while marginalizing peaceful voices?

A review of the mistakes made by Western media in reporting the Iraq war can provide a useful guide that can be used to evaluate current Iran war coverage. (These are chronicled in my textbook, Peace Journalism Principles and Practices). The most prominent of these errors was that media was pro Iraq war, and ignored anti-war voices. One study cited in the text showed 2/3 of all sources in media coverage were pro Iraq war voices, including 71% of cable TV talk show guests.

Since it’s too early for quantitative, peer-reviewed content analysis research by reputable sources regarding Iran war media coverage, we’re left with anecdotal evidence and analysis to fill in the gaps. That said, there is ample evidence to suggest a bias in the media that is cheerleading the Iran war’s “successes” while marginalizing anti-war voices. 

AI-generated image

As the Iran war began, “as if on cue, Bret Stephens is once again cheerleading for intervention on the opinion pages of the New York Times, invoking the language of resolve and credibility that lubricated the invasion of Iraq. On CNN, chief national security analyst Jim Sciutto claimed that U.S. military veterans “are likely welcoming these strikes tonight,” a sweeping assertion offered with the same confidence that once accompanied talk of “shock and awe.” On Fox News, chief political analyst Brit Hume is claiming, like he did in 2003, that Americans support this war of choice. We have been here before: an American president launches strikes in the Middle East, elite opinion closes ranks, the ghosts of quagmires past hover unacknowledged in the studio lights.” (Salon 2/2/26) 

TV panels on the 2026 Iran war have often featured current and former U.S. officials and analysts framing the strikes as necessary, preemptive, or aimed at liberation. CNN has regularly featured analysis from retired general David Patraeus and admiral James Stavridis. Also, claims aired on CNN have stated that U.S. veterans "likely welcome these strikes" even though there are veterans who are disappointed at or outright oppose the war.  On Fox News, it was claimed that Americans support the "war of choice," mirroring rhetoric used during the 2003 Iraq invasion. (In fact, surveys show that the Iraq war is broadly unpopular.)   

At the same time, anti-war voices seem to have been largely marginalized, with the exception of the nearly gleeful reporting from some about MAGA enthusiasts who are upset about the war. (e.g. ABC; The Hill).

In Politico, Emma Ashford, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center, stated that it is a "definite failure" of restrained, anti-interventionist voices that they have been unable to pull media narratives away from a pro-war orientation. She goes on to state that even prominent media figures on the right, such as Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, have seen their influence diminished after their failed campaign to pressure the administration to eschew the bombing campaign against Iran.

On February 28, March 2, and March 7, there were protests in 50+ cities around the US.  Organizations like the ACLU, Public Citizen, and Greenpeace have stated their opposition to the war. Yet, analyses from AllSides (a media watchdog organization) and Mondoweiss (a left wing, pro-Palestinian outlet) suggest that mainstream media coverage heavily focused on the success of Operation Epic Fury, while marginalizing reports of protests and other domestic opposition, civilian casualties (like the school bombing), and the war’s humanitarian impacts. These  analyses suggest a pattern of almost exclusively spotlighting U.S. military “successes.” 

Certainly, the tone and amount of bias in the coverage is tinged by partisan political factors. Fox News and other media on the right have generally praised the war while criticizing its opponents in and out of the media. Left leaning outlets like MSNOW (formerly MSNBC) and the New York Times have been much more critical, frequently questioning the war's legitimacy and the lack of a clear long term exit strategy.  The impact of this reporting divide can be seen in public opinion polls that show most Republicans support the war, while most Democrats and independents oppose it.

Without detailed content analysis data, it’s impossible to reach any firm conclusions at this time. However, the anecdotal evidence certainly points to a repeat of the mistakes made by media more than 20 years ago. The public needed a sober, objective, informed presentation of the pros and cons of war back then. Instead, they got pro-war flag waving that helped to legitimize an illegitimate, bloody, decades-long debacle in Iraq. Will history repeat itself?

Next: In Part II of my discussion of Iran war coverage, we'll look at whether press are repeating other mistakes from Iraq war coverage. Does reporting feature hyped, false stories (propaganda) about the reason(s) for attacking Iran? Are journalists relying on on dubious, biased sources? Are they parroting government propaganda, especially about the school bombing?

 

Palau reporter Ohanna Galo at an East-West Center press conference

Pacific Islands journalists "glad they came and learned"
10 journalists from 9 Pacific island countries and territories came to the East-West Center last week to attend several workshops (trade and investment reporting; peace journalism) and cover the two-day Pacific Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit. (See previous two blogs).

The journalists appreciated the opportunity offered by the Summit Journalism Program. In their written evaluations, they were effusive in their praise:

“I now understand there is a need for more stories on peace journalism, which is the foundation of economic development. …This fellowship is eye-opening.”
--Charlie Piringi, Solomon Islands

“This program has helped a lot to understand the importance of partnership, security, and shared prosperity. The program enabled me to...understand the common issues and challenges that impact the lives of people back home.”
--Denyse Kalau, Papua New Guinea 

Reporter Denyse Kalau from Papua New 
Guinea at the opening of the Pacific Agenda.

“…Being able to understand broader about Asia-Pacific-US trade and economic relations plays a significant role in providing more impactful and informative pieces to our communities.”
--Talaia Mike, Cook Islands

“I love everything that came out of this program. I’m glad I came and learned.”
--Leilani McQuinn, Marshall Islands

“It allowed me from a smaller country in the Pacific to interview high level officials. I also learned new skills in reporting…(The training) gave me an idea of what angle to take, and the right sources to get information from”
--Kuata Taumaheke, Tuvalu

It was very helpful. Understanding the basic information about trade and investments made it much easier to understand the trade discussions and the negotiations involved.
--Timoci Vula, Fiji

The journalists posted numerous reports about the Summit during and after the event. Examples include stories filed in media outlets from the Solomon Islands; Fiji  (FijiLive and Fiji Times); Guam; the Cook Islands; Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. In addition, the journalists are currently working on depth pieces and feature stories based on their reporting at the Investment Summit, including stories about deep sea mining; tourism; military spending and infrastructure; foreign investment and indigenous cultures; and economic diversification—a hot topic since many Pacific Island communities are disproportionately dependent on tourism and fisheries. 

I was impressed by the journalists and their curiosity, ingenuity, and eagerness to learn and to experience reporting about the Summit. Their open minds and cooperative natures made the journalism initiative a pleasure for my colleagues and I. We look forward to working with these journalists and their peers in the Pacific Islands on another project soon. (There is just such a project being planned. Details later!)

Front row--Talaia Mika, Cook Islands; Leilani MacQuinn, Marshall Islands; 
EWC program officer Saw Thinn; Ohanna Galo, Palau; Denyse Kalau, PNG; 
trainer Randy Smith ; Charlie Piringi, Solomon Islands. Back row from left:
Timoci Vula, Fiji; Kuata Taumaheke, Tuvalu; Reginald Chandar, Fiji;
Ezra Toara, Vanuatu; Skyper Opispo, Guam;
Steven Youngblood, East West Center.

Press conference with Deputy Sec. Landau, at East-West Center.

Pacific journalists cover Investment Summit in Honolulu
The 10 journalists from 9 Pacific island countries and territories we hosted here at the East-West Center had their work cut out for them.

We brought them here to cover the two-day Pacific Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit this week. Problem is, because of the delicate trade and investment negotiations taking place, 90% of the Summit was closed to press. Fortunately, the journalists were able to overcome this handicap with their ingenuity, and by taking advantage of a couple of extra press availabilities we were able to set up for our journalists.

The first of these press opps was with Dan Petrie, acting chief of staff at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, a U.S. government entity that gives loans (“compacts”) to developing countries, including Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, and Vanuatu. The journalists quizzed Petrie on transparency and accountability of these projects, and also why small countries like the Marshall Islands and Cook Islands have been excluded from MCC compacts. I asked if they still are able to give climate change resiliency grants, given the Trump administration’s hostility to climate change initiatives. Petrie talked about disaster resiliency, but didn’t really address the climate change aspect of my question.

The second press opp was with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. He relayed his enthusiasm about the Summit, terming it a “great success” while touting the power of private investment. Several journalists questioned Landau about U.S. climate change policy and how that impacts investment in the region. He replied by responding that the U.S. is at the “cutting edge” of environmentally responsible economic development.

In addition to these, the journalists were able to attend opening and closing plenary sessions at the Summit. At the closing session, several investment deals were announced, including ones for a feasibility study for a new hospital in Palau, and two more to construct high speed cables to bring improved digital access to the Marshall Islands and American Samoa. The journalists were also able to arrange a number of interviews with their country delegations that were attending the Summit. 

Pacific Islands journalists visit Honolulu Civil Beat.

During their visit to here, the Pacific island journalists also visited the newsroom of Honolulu Civil Beat, an award-winning, not-for-profit online news organization. The journalists compared notes and best practices with journalists Marcel Honore, Nathan Eagle, and Jessica Terrell. The Civil Beat reporters imparted their wisdom about covering tourism, fisheries, and energy with the visitors, who identified these as key issues on their islands.

Next week: Reflections from the Pacific Islands journalists and myself on the Investment Summit and the initiative that brought them here to Hawaii, as well as links to articles produced by the journalists.

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

Dr. Gao's 'Trade 101' presentation to the Pacific Islands journalists.

Pacific journalists analyze trade, investment, peace journalism
(Honolulu, Hawaii)—In my textbook Peace Journalism Principles and Practices (now available free online), I wrote chapters applying PJ principles to lots of different kinds of reporting—crime, terrorism, migration/refugees, politics, etc. What’s missing was a chapter on reporting business, trade, and investment using Peace Journalism. 

Thus, when the East-West Center organized a project to bring 10 Pacific Islands here to Honolulu to cover this week’s Pacific Agenda Investment, Security, and Shared Prosperity Summit, I knew that I’d have to give some thought to applying PJ to these domains. I was initially concerned how stories about money could be infused with PJ’s humanistic orientation. But as you see below, the tips I shared with the journalists yesterday are a natural outflow from the principles of peace journalism:

Journalist Tim Vula discusses trade in Fiji.

Tips for applying PJ principles to economic, trade, and development reporting:
1. Give voice to the marginalized: Move beyond the perspectives of CEOs and government officials. Report on the impact of investments and trade (and trade disputes and tariffs) on everyday people—farmers, fishermen, workers, etc. Interview these people.

2. Build bridges, not walls: In international trade disputes, avoid nationalistic stereotypes and language (trade war, battle for market share, economic onslaught) that demonize foreign competitors and present trade as a zero-sum game (“we win, you lose”). Highlight the human stories of everyday people to build empathy and understanding across borders.

3. Examine structural economic inequality: How do trade and investment policies and deals fuel economic discrimination, poverty, and social injustice? For example, how might trade and investment deals exacerbate structural inequalities and fuel the displacement of indigenous communities, pollute traditional fishing grounds, marginalize poor communities, or impact tourism workers?

4. Ensure accountability: Following the investigative model used for the Solomon Islands' COVID-19 stimulus, PJ reporters should expose corruption and track whether investment funds actually reach the marginalized groups they were intended to assist. (see Story) This also means critically analyzing government and corporate statistical claims—such as job creation or green investment promises—instead of reporting them as undisputed facts.

5. Report counternarratives: This would include:
a. Reporting on peace dividends (stories where business and trade have successfully fostered reconciliation or stability, or strengthened ties between countries)
b. Reporting on the invisible effects of economic conflicts like lost jobs, small business degradation, and natural resource depletion.
c. Stories that shift the focus from the "US vs. China" narratives. Instead, report on how specific trade or security deals impact the daily lives and agency of local Pacific Islanders.
d. Highlight how shared interests and economic and trade collaboration can create mutual benefits for everyday people. (instead of framing trade as a “we win, you lose” zero-sum game).

Randy Smith presents on trade, business reporting.

Yesterday’s workshop for the 10 journalists from 9 Pacific Island countries/territories also included informative presentations by Stewart Yerton (Honolulu Civil Beat reporter); Dr. Guanlin Gao (professor, Chaminade University); and Randy Smith (Univ. of Missouri professor emeritus; president Alfred Friendly Press Partners). Smith discussed the basics of business and trade reporting, including the importance of making the complex understandable, and infusing each story with people (per peace journalism’s suggestion), data, and expertise. Yerton explored the nuances of reporting about trade deals, reminding the journalists about balancing the pros and cons while holding officials accountable. Dr. Gao gave a lively presentation, sort of a Pacific Trade and Investment 101, where she emphasized that products are mostly jointly produced (“co-production”), with different components and different manufacturing steps for any single product taking place in many different countries.

Today, the Pacific Islands journalists begin reporting about the Investment Summit. I'll write about their experiences during the summit, and at a field trip to the Civil Beat newsroom, later this week.

Journalist Leilani McQuinn from the Marshall Islands.

Students line up: optimists to the left, pessimists to the right

Hawaiian Youth descend on East-West Center
Last Saturday, it was fascinating to hear 100 Hawaiian youth discuss the future—what worries them, and what gives them optimism. Turns out one subject was on both lists.

The high schoolers from 18 local public, private, and charter high schools in O‘ahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hawai‘i Island gathered at the East-West Center for the Hawai‘i Youth Summit 2026. The day-long event featured speakers and activities designed to reinforce the value of Hawaiian culture while engaging and encouraging the state’s future leaders.

During one discussion about the future, the youth listed as their worries, including greed and government, violence, security, lack of good paying jobs, and being priced out of Hawai‘i, which has one of the highest costs of living in the nation. The young people were optimistic because of medical technology, improving educational opportunities, youth energy, and the opportunities their generation has to globally engage.

The young leaders were both encouraged and worried about Artificial Intelligence. Will it create jobs, or make them scarce? How will it impact their education? I had an interesting side discussion with several students where we discussed if AI is making them smarter, or stupider? They weren’t sure, and neither am I. I told them that we had these same discussions when the internet first burst onto the scene, and that I think the jury is still out on whether it’s a net positive or negative.

The organizers took the youngsters outside, and asked them to place themselves along a long line, one end representing optimism for the future, the other pessimism. Interestingly, the students were spread out almost evenly. (See photo, top)

Hawai‘i Youth Summit speakers included futurist Dr. Lavonne Leong, and the superintendent of the Hawai‘i Department of Education Keith Hayashi. One of the day’s highlights was a performance of traditional and contemporary Okinawan music and dance by 16 happy, energetic students from high schools throughout the Ryukyu Islands. The Hawaiian students joined their Okinawan peers in a frenetic, laughter-filled conga line. 

Young Okinawan performer

According to organizers, the post-Summit survey taken by the students showed that 80% felt that the event was "very valuable/interesting," while no one said it wasn't worth giving up their Saturday to attend. I couldn’t agree more. It was indeed a Saturday well spent.

Jefferson Fellowship
A program I coordinate for the East-West Center just launched this week. This program, the Jefferson Fellowships, will bring together regional journalists in Honolulu, Tokyo, and Seoul Oct. 25-Nov. 12, 2026 to study and report about AI. Applications will close March 10. See full details, and link to application, here: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/apply/2026-jefferson-fellowships . It's a great opportunity!