THIS DAY – AT 10:25 A.M. ET:  Americans will appropriately mark the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks today. 

Most who note the day publicly will do so with dignity.  A few, including some of our journalistic brothers and sister, will not.  Prepare yourself for some moving ceremonies, and also from some tasteless columns.  Paul Krugman's post at The New York Times is perhaps the most vulgar I've read thus far, accusing former President Bush and former New York Mayor Giuliani of cashing in on the tragedy.  Real class.

It's proper, during this commemoration, to review the events of the past ten years.  It is also proper for the media to reflect on itself and its role.  There is a dramatic difference between the press of World War II and the press of today.  In World War II, as a University of New Zealand study indicated some years ago, the Western media understood the importance of the war, what was at stake, and the nature of the enemy.  The media of today was shaped by the cynical era of the 1960s, and the warped reporting from Vietnam, which seemed to emphasize every American setback, and underplay every American success. 

Wars, it is said, are won by the side that makes the fewest mistakes.   Coverage of a war, including the war on terror, must be informed by that reality.  The media can enlighten and inspire.  But it can also mislead, distort and discourage. On this day, members of the journalistic profession (or trade) might take some moments to hold their own commemoration and ask, with integrity, "How did we do?"  The record will be very mixed.  To cite just one example, we are endlessly reminded that we didn't find WMD stockpiles in Iraq, and the reminders often some with sinister suggestions that we invaded Iraq under false premises.  But while stockpiles were not found, the WMD programs themselves were indeed found, and were ready to be restarted.  Leaving out that fact, as press reports often do, distorts the reality of Iraq.  It is a disservice to truth and to the nation.  But the disservice continues. 

This country may live or die based on the quality of its press.  We have seen the devastating effects of mythology that passes for journalism in the Muslim world, and, yes, in parts of Europe.  Some questions are required on this day.

September 11, 2011