Which Way, L.A.?

Did Americans Get the Real Story of the War in Iraq?

Media critics on both sides claim the American public got a distorted portrait of the war in Iraq. Even before the war began, there was a book attacking the news media for what they were failing to broadcast or print. The authors contend that reporters were cheerleaders for the Bush administration, whether they realized it or not. Others insist that what they call the -liberal media- crusaded against the armed conflict. Were they apologists for the Bush administration? Did Americans get the real story of the war in Iraq? We hear a spirited discussion between Reese Erlich, co-author of Target Iraq: What the News Media Didn-t Tell You, and Tim Graham, director of media analysis for the Media Research Center, about the content and impact of the media's reporting on the war in Iraq. Making News: US Government Teaches CIA How to Get Federal Contracts Recent news stories about federal contracts have featured companies that contribute to political campaigns or boast high-level connections to administration officials. Now, the Commerce Department wants to spread the wealth around. Under-Secretary of Commerce for Technology Phillip Bond is in California this week to show local companies how to do business with the federal government. Reporter-s Notebook: New Developments in South Downtown For the first time in decades, a mainstream supermarket has plans to locate in downtown Los Angeles. Ralphs will open a store in the South Park district near Staples Center. There-s also talk of downtown-s Transamerica Tower being turned into condos. Robert Harris, who is director of graduate studies at USC-s School of Architecture and lives on Bunker Hill, previews the latest efforts to revitalize the central city.