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# *Unreliable Watchdog: The News Media and U.S. Foreign Policy*

Published By Cato Institute 

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Date and Time 

March 3, 2023 12 - 1 PM EST 

Location 

Live Online 

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##### Featuring 

[![Ted Galen Carpenter Cropped](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2022-08/Ted-Galen-Carpenter-cropped.jpg?itok=MxeiGDTG)](/people/ted-galen-carpenter) 

[Ted Galen Carpenter](/people/ted-galen-carpenter)

Former Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

![George-Beebe-cropped.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-02/George-Beebe-cropped.jpg?itok=YX2bjzCW) 

George Beebe 

Director of Grand Strategy, Quincy Institute

[![Justin Logan cropped portrait new](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-08/Justin-Logan-cropped.jpg?itok=1xXiDWfG)](/people/justin-logan) 

[Justin Logan](/people/justin-logan)

Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Institute

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](https://x.com/JustinTLogan) [ 

](mailto:jlogan@cato.org) 

Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of our democratic political system. But reporters, pundits, and editors face intense pressure to adopt and amplify government messages in their coverage of U.S. foreign policy. In *Unreliable Watchdog*, Ted Galen Carpenter focuses on the nature and extent of the American news media’s willingness to accept official accounts and policy justifications, too often throwing skepticism aside. *Unreliable Watchdog* jump‐​starts a badly needed conversation about how the press must improve its coverage of foreign policy and national security issues if it is to serve its proper role for the American people. Join us as the author and discussant explore why so many journalists―as well as social media platforms―seem willing to collaborate with government officials in pushing an activist foreign policy.

![unreliable-watchdog-cover.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/promo_block_book_cover_1x/public/2023-02/unreliable-watchdog-cover.jpg?itok=K1H84aPO) 

##### Featured Book 

### *[Unreliable Watchdog: The News Media and U.S. Foreign Policy](https://www.amazon.com/Unreliable-Watchdog-Media-Foreign-Policy/dp/1952223334/?tag=catoinstitute-20)*

Freedom of press is a cornerstone of our democratic political system. But reporters, pundits, and editors face intense pressure to serve as propagandists rather than journalists in their coverage of U.S. foreign policy. Too many members of the news media seem unable to make that distinction and play their proper role as watchdogs for the American people regarding possible government incompetence or misconduct. Since World War II, America has become a garrison state always prepared for armed conflict and the conflating of journalism and propaganda has grown worse―even in situations that do not involve actual combat for the United States. That behavior increasingly constrains and distorts the public’s consideration of Washington’s role in the world.

[Purchase Book](https://www.amazon.com/Unreliable-Watchdog-Media-Foreign-Policy/dp/1952223334/?tag=catoinstitute-20) 

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