When governments want to attack another country, they create disgust for that country amongst their own population. This is done through what is fed to the mainstream media from institutions such as the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office...as well as numerous other 'briefings', both on and off the record. Likewise, it is done through what is omitted. This can be seen clearly by contrasting the constant condemnation of Iran with the 'free pass' given to Saudi Arabia.
Any journalist that denies this, is either a rookie, an idiot, or a liar
The liars fall into two broad camps:
Those that are reluctant to tell the truth for fear of what may happen to their access, their reputation, and ultimately their career. Governments & intelligence services have a range of ‘sticks’ to create this fear. Peer pressure also plays a part
Those that are willing to prostitute their integrity for personal gain, including financial reward and higher status. Governments have a range of ‘carrots’ for this
Either way, the net result is support for governmental demonization of the target state.
This is how we were led to war in Iraq; it is how large parts of the population are prepared to blindly accept assertions of tyranny by nations such as Syria and Russia…without conclusive evidence, and frequently on the basis of a ‘cock & bull’ story.
It is how the majority are being kept in the dark about Saudi atrocities in Yemen, and Israel’s ethnic cleansing of Palestine.
And it is how we are being led…by the nose…towards a war against Iran.
My conclusion is that the Fourth Estate is not fit for purpose, and is actively complicit with treason against the people.