Hollywood movies, NSA & propaganda, what is going here?

[arcadian]

In the movie 'Untraceable' starring Diane Lane as an FBI agent, the following exchange takes place.

I'm paraphrasing, "Get the NSA to trace the call, we'll get this guy!", Diane Lanes character says, "We can't, the NSA needs a court order to go through people's phone records and we can't get one"

Again that is not exact. But that was pretty much it. Peculiar thing to stick in a movie considering the controversial and timely nature of said discussion.

Now, why would a screenwriter or director put such a thing in a Hollywood production? How do you think the decision making process took place to put that particular politically charged dialogue in the film?

Are the producers/director/writer simply sympathetic to the NSA being able to spy on American citizens and they use this to promote that idea by showing that spying is a good thing when we use it to catch criminals which is all the NSA would be using it for, wink, wink.

Did a political hack persuade that the production crew of this film by "phoning in a favor" for Bush?

Or did the NSA itself try to get this put in there to show that they are a gentle bureaucracy that can be used to fight crime when their hands aren't tied?

Were they bought off? Like the way certain films are granted the use of military hardware if they show the DoD in a good light.

Your thoughts please.

[Marblehead]

1. propaganda

is all around us, I've noticed similar things in movies and especially on tv.

[arcadian]

2. The CIA has a Hollywood film liaison office.

Imagine if they tried opening one of those in the 70s in the wake of Watergate. I guess they feel the public is properly anesthetized that they can come out and do some of their propaganda work in the public eye out in the open. Kind of alarming really.

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https://www.cia.gov/offices-of-cia/public-affairs/entertainment-industry-liaison/index.html

Entertainment Industry Liaison

As an organization that plays a key role in America’s defense, the CIA is a frequent subject of books, motion pictures, documentaries, and other creative ventures. For years, artists from across the entertainment industry — actors, authors, directors, producers, screenwriters, and others — have been in touch with the CIA to gain a better understanding of our intelligence mission. Our goal is an accurate portrayal of the men and women of the CIA, and the skill, innovation, daring, and commitment to public service that defines them.

If you are part of the entertainment industry, and are working on a project that deals with the CIA, the Agency may be able to help you. We are in a position to give greater authenticity to scripts, stories, and other products in development. That can mean answering questions, debunking myths, or arranging visits to the CIA to meet the people who know intelligence — its past, present, and future. In some cases, we permit filming on our headquarters compound. (Please visit our Headquarters Virtual Tour.) We can also provide stock footage of locations within and around our main building.

Intelligence is challenging, exciting, and essential. To better convey that reality, the CIA is ready for a constructive dialogue with a broad range of creative talents.

For further information, please contact our Entertainment Industry Liaison.

[behave]

3. KR'd Nice post, arcadian!

[arcadian]

4. Ohhhh behave

:rofl:

Thanks