Buying the War (2007)
In 2003, the United States preemptively attacked Iraq in a war that would last for eight years, claiming an estimated 189,000 lives, costing over 2 trillion dollars, and causing untold economic and emotional devastation for the Iraqi people. Amidst this tumultuous backdrop, the 2007 documentary Buying the War emerged, originally airing on Bill Moyers Journal. This powerful film delves into the role of big media as a cheerleader in the clamor for war during the months preceding the March 19, 2003 invasion.
Bill Moyers, the seasoned journalist and host of the documentary, meticulously investigates how mainstream press coverage went awry in the lead-up to the Iraq War. The film poses critical questions: How did the media get it so wrong? And what does it reveal about the role of journalists in discerning fact from propaganda?
The documentary features interviews with prominent figures in journalism, including:
- Dan Rather, formerly of CBS.
- Tim Russert, host of MEET THE PRESS.
- Bob Simon, the intrepid correspondent from 60 MINUTES.
- Walter Isaacson, former president of CNN.
- John Walcott, Jonathan Landay, and Warren Strobel of Knight Ridder newspapers (acquired by The McClatchy Company in 2006).
The heart of Buying the War lies in the reporting of the Knight Ridder team—Walcott, Landay, and Strobel. These journalists delved deep into intelligence agencies, seeking evidence for the Bush Administration’s case for war. Their skepticism was a rarity within the Beltway, where many journalists were swept up in the fervor of war. Bob Simon, based in the Middle East, questioned the reporting he encountered, particularly the dubious connection between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. Simon astutely observed that Saddam, a total control freak, would never introduce a wild card like Al Qaeda into the equation.
Moyers’s documentary serves as a stark reminder of the media’s responsibility to uphold truth and scrutinize official narratives. It exposes how the press, at times, became complicit in perpetuating misinformation. As we reflect on this pivotal moment in history, Buying the War urges us to remain vigilant, to question, and to hold those in power accountable. Journalism, when wielded with integrity, can be a beacon of light in the darkest of times.
