Pentagon to offer direct news service

[NeoConsSuck]

The U.S. military will launch its own news service in Iraq and Afghanistan to send military video, text and photos directly to the Internet or news outlets.

U.S. officials have complained that Iraq-based media focuses on catastrophic events such as car bombs and soldiers' deaths, while giving short shrift to U.S. rebuilding efforts.

The American public "currently gets a pretty slanted picture," said Army Capt. Randall Baucom, a spokesman for the Kuwait-based U.S.-led Coalition Land Forces Command. "We want them to get an opportunity to see the facts as they exist, instead of getting information from people who aren't on the scene."

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?category=&storyID=223434&BCCode=&newsdate=2/27/2004%2011:51:07%20PM

[bluestateguy]

1. Oh that will be rich

I can just see it. For example, on a day when 3 or 4 soldiers are killed in attacks the lead stories on the Pentagon news service will be:

IRAQI SCHOOL CHILDREN START KINDERGARTEN TODAY!

US SOLDIERS GIVE AWAY SOCCER BALLS TO IRAQI CHILDREN!

IRAQI CITIZENS EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE TO US SOLDIERS FOR PROTECTING THEM!

They might as well hire propagandists from the old Soviet Tass News Agency and Castro's Granma for assistance.

[Vas Liz]

9. "They might as well hire propagandists"

Who says they didn't?

Pentagon News Service job application form:

1. Are you or have you ever been a member of the democratic/green party?

2. If there is an earth quake today it is most likely the fault of (circle one) A. Volcanic activity B. Other geological situation C. Clintons penis.

3. List any fascists regimes you have been a part of.

[Leilani]

2. Pentagon to offer direct propaganda

If you don't like what the press is reporting, create your own news.

One Faux network is enough!

[plaguepuppy]

3. Cut out the middle man!

It's more cost effective...

[teryang]

4. Propaganda world

All agencies of American regime will become madison ave like spin broadcasters.

What is so thoroughly revealing is that the pentagon opportunists are so cloistered in their own little world of make believe that they don't realize the media spin for them couldn't be more favorable.

[number6]

5. called FOX CNN ABC CBS NBC

the Pentagon propaganda channels

[gulliver]

6. So much for capitalism.

If the press isn't saying what you want, use tax payer dollars to do it.

It's Bushism.

First they used taxpayer dollars to put a "you can thank George Bush for this check" note in the first round of tax rebates. Then they advertise for Bush in the latest round of Medicare Plan public service messages. Now Bush wants his own news service. And all at taxpayer expense.

What next? Does Bush get to start a Executive Office of the Presidency cable channel?

[UpInArms]

7. I have yet to see where

Charlotte Beers is no longer receiving a paycheck from our government

http://fpc.state.gov/7533.htm

Charlotte Beers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs; Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
Foreign Press Center Briefing
Washington, DC
November 9, 2001

- here she is again in Jan 2003

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/media/public_diplomacy/beers_1-03.html

Charlotte Beers, the under secretary of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs for the State Department, discusses her bureau's mission to improve America's image in Muslim nations.

[AndyTiedye]

8. Right from the Horse's....