Dan Rather, one of the most respected and well-known broadcasters in the United States said last night that the mood of extreme patriotism engulfing the country since 11 September had stopped the media asking difficult questions of America's leaders. He said he was personally guilty of self-censorship.
"It is an obscene comparison ... but you know there was a time in South Africa that people would put flaming tyres around people's necks if they dissented," said Mr Rather. "And in some ways the fear is that you will be necklaced here, you will have a flaming tyre of lack of patriotism put around your neck.
"Now it is that fear that keeps journalists from asking the toughest of the tough questions, and to continue to bore in on the tough questions so often. And again, I am humbled to say, I do not except myself from this criticism."
He added: "What we are talking about here — whether one wants to recognise it or not, or call it by its proper name or not — is a form of self-censorship. I worry that patriotism run amok will trample the very values that the country seeks to defend."
Since the attacks on New York and Washington, Mr Rather, 70, a veteran anchor for CBS, has for many been the embodiment of American patriotism. A week after the attacks he broke down in tears recalling the efforts of rescue workers. Later, when he was sent anthrax-tainted mail, he tried to reassure the public, saying: "Our biggest problem today is not anthrax. Our biggest problem is fear."
In an interview with BBC's Newsnight, Mr Rather said he believed it was a patriotic duty to bring the government to account. "It's unpatriotic not to stand up, look them in the eye, and ask the questions they don't want to hear รณ they being those who have the responsibility, the ultimate responsibility in a society such as ours, of sending our sons and daughters, our husbands, wives, our blood, to face death, to take death," he said.
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