Minneapolis/St. Paul Media bias against anti-war movement

Outrage is building across Minnesota over the virtual blackout of coverage of the October 26 anti-war rally that drew over 10,000 protesters, many of them marching in memory of Paul Wellstone and his anti-war stance. Anger over the lack of coverage is boiling over: a demonstration to protest this coverage is planned for Wednesday October 30.

The October 26 event, the largest anti-war rally in Minnesota in 30 years, was buried deep in the A sections of both major metro dailies, the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press. The Star Tribune (story) reported on the rally as one of many Paul Wellstone-related stories, and included a single picture of a single demonstrator in their print edition. The Pioneer Press (story) included an un-named 'official source' - a state trooper - who underreported the number of protesters by over half.

The death of Senator Paul Wellstone the day before undeniably swelled the number of people who attended. The march was a powerful memorial to the political courage of Wellstone, the only senator facing re-election to vote against the use of force in Iraq. But the march was also a cry of determination by over 10,000 Minnesotans that the war will be stopped before it is begun.

Why would the Star Tribune and the Pioneer Press not give this event the coverage it was due? In this, they are following the lead of America's elite media, who are following the lead of the Administration and powerful sectors of the US economy. The Administration made is clear that they wished to control war coverage in a series of meetings in October of 2001. Following this line, the Washington Post and the New York Times, the pinnacle of elite print media, recently ignored a 200,000-plus anti-war march in London. (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting)

Before the Administration can start dropping expensive munitions on Iraq, it must first win the war for the hearts and souls - or at least the grudging consent - of the American people. They are engaged in a propaganda war, using Madison Avenue marketeers and the formidable powers of the White House. But the people are fighting back - not only with letters to the editor but with a demonstration which is planned for this Wednesday October 30, at 5:30 PM at the offices of the Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave.

What some find particularly galling is the lack of respect to Senator Wellstone that this lack of coverage shows. Senator Wellstone's first and last major votes were against wars in Iraq. He took a leadership role in opposing the Administration's plans to once again attack a nation reeling under many years of brutal sanctions - a nation that sits atop the second-largest reserves of oil in the Middle East. Have these media outlets - or their corporate owners - decided that this issue, so important to Senator Wellstone, is not important enough to rate front page coverage?

It appears that Minnesotans are ready to "carry it forward" into the media realm.