Networks Give More Time to Democratic Critics of Blackwater 'Mercenaries'

     Private security firm Blackwater USA drew fire from the evening news on October 2, including remarks that the firm is made up of “out-of-control guns for hire.”

     Private security firm Blackwater USA drew fire from the evening news on October 2, including remarks that the firm is made up of “out-of-control guns for hire.”

     “Some call them heroes, some call them mercenaries. They are the private security contractors of Blackwater USA,” declared ABC “World News” anchor Charles Gibson on October 2.

     Blackwater’s CEO, Erik Prince, faced questions from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform making the lead story on “World News,” “NBC Nightly News” and “CBS Evening News.”

     “You do admit that Blackwater personnel have shot and killed innocent civilians, don’t you?” charged Democratic congressman Danny Davis.

     In addition to repeating attacks from Blackwater critics, the networks gave significantly more time to Democrats like Davis during the broadcasts. Out of the 13 comments on the three broadcasts from members of the 41-person committee, only one was a Republican. Rep. Christopher Shays was also the only member to say something positive about the company.

     “Thank you for doing a perfect job in protecting the people you’re required to protect,” said Shays (R-Conn.) on “World News.”

     “World News” was also the only one of the three programs to point out that “no official under Blackwater’s protection has ever been killed.”

     Another crucial point mostly overlooked by the newscasts was the total cost savings Blackwater is offering the taxpayers. According to CBS correspondent David Martin, of the 10,000 security contractors working in Iraq, 1,000 are employed by Blackwater and are assigned to protect American diplomats.

    When questioned about the cost, ABC’s National Security Correspondent Jonathan Karl explained that Blackwater can actually offer the protection for less than it would cost the U.S. government itself.

     “Well today, the head of the diplomatic security service for the State Department, which would be the group that would be doing this if it weren't Blackwater, said it would actually cost them more than that – about $500,000 to train and equip its guards and send them to Iraq,” Karl said.

     According to Gibson, the federal government is paying Blackwater about $400,000 per Blackwater employee. Assuming the cost savings are around $100,000 per employee, for 1,000 Blackwater employees, the government is saving $100 million by hiring the private contractor.