This is a truth understood by all journalists. But NATO has been caught out lying again and again. They have admitted that the supposed aim of destroying Yugoslavia's capacity to persecute the Kosovar Albanians has utterly failed. Yet the British notional press is almost uniform in support - the only real distinction being that the papers are banging the drum for a land invasion.
Wars are always difficult times for journalists.
There are questions of safety, on which the NUJ has worked hard for years to ensure no member goes to a battle zone without training and complete protection. And there are sensitive questions of the coverage, which often lead to criticisms. The bombing of the state TV studios in Belgrade and criticisms of the truthfulness of NATO's briefings hove raised questions among journalists about the way the latest Balkan war is being reported and conducted. The NUJ has decided to set up the Campaign for Media Accuracy and Free Speech on War, working with the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom. The campaign will monitor the coverage and work with fellow journalists to improve it.