Jeff Cohen reacts to the McClellan fallout

Cohen served as producer of Donahue, MSNBC's highest-rated show in 2003. Cohen and Donahue were booted from the air for being too skeptical of the push to war, as MSNBC internal memos show.

He has a new column up over at Common Dreams reacting to the sudden confessions of Iraq War cheerleaders like Katie Couric that the media did a terrible job during the build-up to war.

Katie Couric, whose coverage on CBS of the Iraq troop surge has been almost fawning, was one of the few stars to be candid about pre-invasion coverage, saying days ago, “I think it’s one of the most embarrassing chapters in American journalism.” She spoke of “pressure” from corporate management, not just Team Bush, to “really squash any dissent.” Then a co-host of NBC Today, she says network brass criticized her for challenging the administration.

NBC execs apparently didn’t complain when — two weeks into the invasion — Couric thanked a Navy commander for coming on the show, adding, “And I just want you to know, I think Navy SEALs rock!”

This is a glorious moment for the American public. We can finally see those who abandoned reporting for cheerleading and flag-waving and cheap ratings having to squirm over their role in sending other parents’ kids into Iraq.

And you can find my interview with Mr. Cohen by clicking here.