The Channel Four series, ‘The War we never Saw’ was a useful and brave attempt by at least one media organisation to highlight the difficulties journalists and media organisations faced covering the war in Iraq. In particular, the programme presented by Jon Snow on Thursday night raised the dilemma faced by journalists covering this war within the context of the overall "war on terrorism".

The American media, in the main, followed the line laid down by the Bush administration and the military, to cover the war in a positive, upbeat manner and to avoid showing gory or distressing images, except those caused by the Iraqi’s. The British news organisations tried to be more balanced though they also struggled with the dilemma of showing the upbeat side of war alongside the reality that war is a bloody and destructive business. Real people get hurt and real soldiers do kill and hurt people was not a welcome message.

What was perhaps most interesting about the programme was the realisation by these stalwart and well-respected media stars that journalists became real targets in this war. The threats directed at Al Jazeera by the US/UK when they broadcast images of civilian casualties and American prisoners of war were translated into the actual bombing of their headquarters in Baghdad and the murder of a senior journalist. Some days later a mortar was directed at the hotel housing the main body of journalists based in Baghdad and three foreign journalists were killed. Commentators all agreed that the position of these buildings was well known to the US/UK military machines. Terry Lloyd and others were killed as they attempted to carry out independent coverage of the action rather than become embedded with the troops.

From now on even more than ever before, war reporting will be managed by the military and governments and attempts at independent, unbiased coverage will not be encouraged and indeed, may cost the journalist and news company a great deal, even their property and life. Propaganda in times of war is something that as Irish Republicans we know about but the current situation where any attempt at independent thought, word or deed can and will have you labelled as a traitor and an enemy in the fight against "terrorism" is extremely worrying. That is why it is essential that we question everything and continue to support colleagues particularly in the US who are faced with a witch hunt for raising basic questions or opposing the actions of their government.