U.S. media reports fairly on success, failure in Iraq

As a headline, the above is not particularly dramatic. It's not particularly controversial, either. Except when you put it in the context of this Army Times story, which came to my attention via the Romenesko media news blog:

From my foxhole-view as a tactical battalion commander in western Baghdad in 2006, the American press, although not perfect, has reported the reality of the Iraq war.

Contrary to what most believe in the American military, as well as some conservative columnists and a few politicians, the American press does give a reasonably full, fair and balanced picture of what is happening in Iraq.