As soon as the Saddam Hussein execution video came into the hands of news organisations, they put it on air and played it over and over again. And for those who missed it, the video was available on the websites of most news organisations. The media did not wait to confirm whether the video was lawfully acquired or whether it was moral to show a man’s final moments.
The Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War clearly states that prisoners of war must be protected against insults and public curiosity. But Hussein was insulted as he faced his execution. The media could be lauded for following up on this shameful act.
As the recent movement of U.S. troops to Iraq suggests, the war is far from over. Thus the repatriation of Hussein should be called into question as countries do not send back prisoners of war until hostilities cease. Hussein was returned to a country embroiled in a war created by the U.S. and then a partisan court sentenced Hussein to death. But the media was focused on ensuring that there was no loopholes for Hussein to escape through.
A lot of countries and the European Union spoke against the execution of Hussein. The media gleefully printed their responses and forgot to question them about why they did not speak out before the execution. Also would these countries be imposing any embargoes against the U.S., after all that’s what they usually do to show political displeasure. Or is it a stupid question because nobody wants to throw a rock at the bully? The media could have made an issue of this discrepancy in attitude.
Another question that seems to have been lost in the melee is why were the Geneva Conventions ignored by the U.S. and why is the U.S. getting away with it? Is the death of a tyrant at the hands of another considered poetic justice by the media? If so, then the media has cleared the way for a dictator to go free at the price another’s head.
