AL,
I have had the weekend to think about responding. This is really bugging me, so here goes.
I was very surprised with your analysis of the edits. I don't see the changes as merely technical, rather, more deliberate. I think the edits were purposefully done to alter the tone of the essay. Here is how and why.
1) The first glaring change is the title. The editor changed it from:
Aiding and Abetting the enemy; the media in Iraq
to
Media's coverage has distorted world's view of Iraqi reality.
The editors removed culpability when they changed the title. The media will never accept that their irresponsbile reporting actually empowers and supports the enemy. For me, this was the primary purpose of the essay, not to emphasise misrepresentation of the facts.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Airbornelawyer
If anything, the revised version is harsher. Originally, he accused some in the media of ignorance (they lack the training and experience to understand what they are seeing). The revised version accused some (CNN specifically) of misrepresentation. The misrepresentation could be the product of ignorance, but also could be the product of malice - he leaves it to the reader to decide.
Most of the other changes appear to be minor technical changes.
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I pick up doubt in the re-work due to the re-organization and regrouping of the information. I find it interesting that you think the edited version is harsher on misrepresentation. I believe that was the intent. Alter the readers focus to what was inaccurately reported and away from the ramifications of the erroneous reporting.
2) The opening comment:" All right. I've had enough. I am tired of reading...", the Lt Col never speaks like that in the original. He never sounds emotional, he is very pragmatic. The editors wanted to set a tone.
3) The editors changed the opening paragraph. First lesson in English lit: opening paragraph should define what you want to prove/explain.
The new opening paragraph is focused on misrepresentation and how the media is only covering the negative. The original focuses on cause and effect; the possible consequences of the media's reporting. I firmly believe the Lt Col wanted to emphasise media responsibility and culpability, something the editors will never accept.
Okay - blast away,
my .02