From Vietnam to Iraq, media demonstrated its destructiveness to national war effort. Media discredits the government, stigmatizes the military, and broadcasts enemy propaganda speeches. No enemy could dream of a better fifth column that the liberal media. Censorship is an instinctive response, but it would weed out the legitimate critique of governments. Vociferous critics of the Iraqi war benefit the American public. Societies wondrously regulate themselves. American media, including tabloids, was united in favor of defeating Germany and Japan. Roosevelt’s actions offered ample ground for criticism but the media were mostly compassionate to his cause.

Media are not anti-social, but only seek attention. Journalists want to lead the public, and media owners want revenues which are also a matter of popularity. Media rides on public sentiment. When the Americans were overwhelmingly pro-war in the 1940s, the media could not afford to be anti-war. The public was uncertain about the Iraqi war, and media gained reputation by opposing the government. Media present no problem in sensible wars.