[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL

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                            HON. LAMAR SMITH

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Madam Speaker, last week marked the 20th 
anniversary of one of the greatest triumphs of freedom and democracy in 
history--the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  But two decades ago, the national media gave Americans a biased 
account of the issues surrounding this historic event, according to a 
new report by the Media Research Center, titled ``Better off Red?''
  MRC found that many in the national media failed to portray the evils 
of communism and suggested that free-market capitalism was somehow 
worse.
  Furthermore, the media's coverage often tipped in favor of the 
oppressors--not the oppressed--and frequently criticized those who were 
fighting communism rather than those who were perpetuating it.
  It is just as important today as it was 20 years ago that the 
national media give Americans the facts, not tell them what to think.

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