American TV networks gave the Bush administration glowing coverage of Iraq war in exchange for the relaxation of media ownership rules, according to Michael Wolff, a media commentator and New York Magazine columnist.
"Ass kissing has gone on to a profound degree. It's pervasive throughout all these news organisations. They need the FCC to behave in certain ways. In order to do this we have got to go along to get along," said Wolff, who delivered the keynote speech at a MediaGuardian forum on war coverage. Wolff also was critical of the system of the Pentagon embedding journalists with troops. "I have difficulty in understanding why somebody didn't say: 'You're not becoming a war reporter, you're becoming a PR guy'," Wolff said.