MEDIA WATCH

Most Large Papers Argue for World Support on Iraq

A new survey by Editor & Publisher magazine shows that "the growing
rift at the United Nations and massive antiwar demonstrations
around the globe appear to have had an impact. E&P now finds that a
majority of top papers oppose any attack on Iraq without broad
international support." Previous surveys in January also opposed
President Bush's desire for a quick invasion, but pro-war
editorials surged immediately following Colin Powell's presentation
to the U.N. in early February. Following the protests, however,
newspapers have taken a more cautious position: "Of the 37 papers
publishing editorials on Iraq between Feb 15. and Feb. 19, the
hawks numbered 15 and doves 9, while the cautious camp became
solidly internationalist. Some that once reluctantly accepted a
quick war for different reasons are now calling for any invasion to
be backed by a stronger world coalition or with the full support of
the United Nations Security Council -- a noteworthy condition at a
time when the U.N. appears deeply fractured. Thirteen papers now
occupy this middle ground, meaning that almost two-third's of the
total sample oppose any war for the time being."
SOURCE: Editor & Publisher, February 20, 2003