The NIE on Iran and the Media's Response

The recent developments concerning the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) on Iran and President Bush’s response have caused quite a stir in the media and in Washington. The NIE is a composed by the many intelligence agencies of the United States government. Its purpose is to inform the president and the executive branch about a nation, situation, or event. Our government has been very critical of the Iranian government and the possibility of Iran possessing Nuclear weapons is undesirable. Although it is no explicitly evident that our government’s view of Iran is due to ethnocentric tendencies and religious fear, it is evident that President Bush and his cabinet are fearful of Iran possessing a weapon of mass destruction. If the NIE now states that Iran is not attempting and/or capable of enriching nuclear material in order to make a weapon, then should not the threat from Iran be diminished? These are tough questions, and questions we leave for our elected officials to decide. It is however the duty and work of our media to inform and present these ideas to the American public. It seems that two cultures exist in the media today; one can be described as the Liberal Left and the other can be described as the Conservative Right. As an educator I believe it is important to present both sides of the media, and to also examine the recent developments in a critical light. Is the tension between the United States and Iran due to purely strategic concerns or is there fear and hate driving both nations towards confrontation?

Keith Olbermann was once a sports anchor on ESPN’s Sports Center. Now he hosts MSNBC’s Countdown. Olbermann’s response to the NIE and President Bush is emotionally charged but representative of a view held by many Americans.


Bill O’Reilly hosts the O’Reilly Factor on Fox News. He has often been a staunch defender of President Bush and his polices. The following is an interview with O’Reilly and UN Ambassador Bolton discussing the NIE and the political ramifications.