It is probably fair to say that in times of peace TV news does not inspire much respect among thoughtful people. The pressure on reporters and editors to find images that capture the public's at-tention inevitably means that significant but not easily illustrated stories are slighted. Other stories are simplified: 30 to 60 seconds of commentary does not allow for much depth.

　　When war breaks out, however, pictures become very important. They have a you-are-there eyewitness impact that press accounts①lack. Pictures have great power to disturb and persuade, especially when backed up with effective com-mentary. Suddenly the bias of what is aired becomes a matter of great concern.

　　In David Horsey's cartoon, an Iraqi is watching the news on Al Jazeera, the pan-Arabic satellite news service that operates out of Qatar. The Al Jazeera staff includes many reporters who formerly worked for the widely respected BBC Arabic service, but there is no doubt that the news as they present it has an Arab slant. Meanwhile, the American soldier in his tank is watching Fox News, which makes a selling point of its patriotism, not to say nationalism. For this it has been roundly criticized in America, but its un-abashed patriotic tone has won it a growing proportion of US viewers, and thus greater advertising revenues. People seeking the truth from such broadcasts must, Horsey suggests, listen with all their critical faculties on high alert.

　　漫画译文

　　①半岛电视台现在播报头条新闻：美国人的入侵已全面停顿。美国战争罪犯轰炸了更多的无辜平民，萨达姆仍然有力地控制着局势……

　　②福克斯电视台现在播报头条新闻：美国军队长驱直入，已经取得了一定的胜利。伊拉克暴徒正在使用平民作为人体盾牌。萨达姆要么已经死亡，要么已经逃亡。