Can't defend propaganda.

After initial denials, the Pentagon now admits to planting stories in the Iraqi news media. Their justification is that they want to “get the truth out there.” Of course, the truth depends on your point of view, doesn't it? Since we are supposedly bringing democracy to Iraq, government prosletizing is stricly prohibited without attribution of sources.

In their analysis of over a dozen published stories, the Los Angeles Times found that none revealed a military sponsorship and one, published in July 2005, was deliberately portrayed as being from an Iraqi citizen.

According to Sen. John Warner, “They (the stories) do not support any practice which is not in keeping with the long-standing traditions of our journalistic profession in this country.”

The stories were created by the military and given to The Lincoln Group who would work with the Iraqi media to “promote truthful reporting.” Lincoln has at least two contracts with the military for media and pr services. One contract worth $6 million, was for public-relations and advertising work in Iraq with a second contract, worth up to $100 million over five years, for media operations with video, print and Web-based products. Boy, “truthspeak” sure does pay well.

This propaganda, while injurious to Iraqi "democracy," is really hurtful to America. Does anyone really think that news from Iraqi media on how things are improving there, would not be trumpeted by the Bushies thru their American media PR firms - like FOX News? There is a dual deception occurring, we are also being lied to.
Posted on The Human Stain