An editorial in the August 21st edition of the Columbus Dispatch points out that Associated Press reporters are refusing to leave their hotel because of how dangerous they perceive it to be in Iraq. Instead they simply cover the bombings, murders and insurgent attacks because it makes a better story than when American contractors build a water purification plant or a school.

From the story:

The major problem, according to Associated Press managing editor Mike Silverman, is that Iraq is a dangerous place for reporters. With bombings, kidnappings and executions a daily occurrence, the AP and other news organizations are loathe to expose their people to too much danger. The Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that 50 journalists or people working for news media have been killed in Iraq since the beginning of the war.
It’s safer and, truth be told, easier to stay in a protected enclave and get the latest news on bombings and casualties from official reports.
Clearly, however, bombings, battles and casualties are bigger news than restoring power to a school or opening a health clinic in a Baghdad neighborhood.

What the Mr. Silverman left out is that AP reporters act the same way when reporting in relative safety, especially when the story involves guns.

The AP rarely reports when a law-abiding citizen uses as gun in self-defense without pulling the trigger. They also rarely cover incidents where the citizen fires a gun in self-defense. But they will cover every case of a child being accidentally shot or a spree killing because in their mind it makes better news. John Lott’s famous studies further show that reporting bad news about guns in society isn’t limited to just AP reports but standard operating procedure for the establishment media.

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As Professor Lott points out in his book, The Bias Against Guns, there is either a concerted effort to shape the gun debate by the establishment media or gross negligence on their part. Either way the fact remains that the establishment media through their one-sided reporting of the gun issue is making the news instead of simply reporting it.

Right now, supporters who donate $30 or more to the Buckeye Firearms Association no later than September 30, 2005 will receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Lott's latest book, The Bias Against Guns. Supplies are limited.

Click the book cover or this link to make an online donation. please act now! Campaign season is a crucial time for this political action committee, and your help is needed.