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As pressure grows for military intervention in Syria, we are now hearing that Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad is behind alleged widespread rape in his country. Didn’t we hear the same thing about Muammar Qaddafi, followed by mounting Western calls for his ouster? As before, when you read the fine print, it gets more complicated.
Are Romney and Obama essentially the same? Not on everything, that’s for sure.
Another massacre in Syria, more rush to blame the side Western governments oppose, followed by corrections. Journalists owe the public better, more careful reporting.
A “defecting” general, the Houla massacre, and more—so much of the news out of Syria seems pretty far from the truth. If you’re not asking questions yet, you should be.
Another light one, for summertime. From 2002-2004, WhoWhatWhy founder and editor Russ Baker lived in Belgrade, Serbia (what, you didn’t?) and penned this humor piece for one of the livelier tabloids.
For your enjoyment, here’s a summery classic. WhoWhatWhy founder and editor Russ Baker from 2004, a light piece on Greek preparations (and procrastination) as the Athens summer Olympics approached. (And by the way, in the end, Greece came through like a dream—we’re rooting for the country now, too, in its current financial difficulties.)
Do you still believe in Deep Throat? June 17 is the 40th anniversary of Watergate; as good a time as any to emerge from the fog of disinformation.
Several best-selling books have debunked the “All the President’s Men” version of Richard Nixon’s presidency. Here are three excerpted chapters from one of them—“Family of Secrets” by WhoWhatWhy founder Russ Baker.
WhoWhatWhy editor Russ Baker interviewed by Emily Rooney on “Greater Boston,” PBS affiliate WGBH, June 13, 2012. Discussed: suppressed JFK records, new interpretations of Watergate, the John Edwards prosecution, the bin Laden raid, and more.
We don’t usually post material from the cable talk channels. But this is one for the ages. Everyone must watch.
Where was Obama really born? Well, where were thousands of Floridians really born? We take a hard look at those email rumors circulating—and at the “truth” issues not getting enough of our attention.
We keep getting reports of atrocities committed by the Syrian government. Those reports may well be accurate. But the truth is usually a bit more complicated in war zones. If news organizations don’t start adopting a higher standard for their reports, another Libyan-style intervention, complete with massive bombing and untold civilian casualties, may be inevitable.
Fareed Zakaria, the favorite pundit of the Council on Foreign Relations, is bewildered that the Saudis aren’t more welcoming toward Arab Spring. And he loves George W. Bush’s love of freedom. Maybe this is why CNN ratings are at record lows.