gr EXCLUSIVE - CNN reports on Bush/DoD Propaganda

As seen on CNN Daybreak, 6:35 AM: 2/4/05 - Reporter Barbara Starr

UPDATE - Link Posted - http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/02/04/web.us/index.html

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But who owns and runs these? News

organizations? The disclaimer, when you find it ..."sponsored by the US Department

of Defense"



The web is now the Pentagon's latest weapon.. .news sites

run by US military troops trained in "information warfare", a specialty

that CAN include deception.



The Pentagon says the sites only carry only

'truthful' news from organizations including the Associated Press and

CNN. "Our principals are truth and transparency" Journalism experts see

it another way. "The government is decieving people, they may

technically suggest that they are not because that disclaimer is there , but you

need to be looking for that disclaimer " A military official tells CNN

these "target only specific foreign audiences" with objectives

including "countering disinformation" Several military officers told CNN that

using the media to build influence shouldn't be their job...its better

left to the State Department. Military personnel ALSO are worried THEY

may be violating President Bush's directive "All our Cabinet Secretaries

must realize that we will not by paying commentators to advance our

agenda. Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet." Deputy

Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz had ordered hiring only journalists

and contributors who 'will not reflect discredit on the US" Over 50

writers have been hired to write articles matching the military agenda.

Initially the Pentagon told CNN there was no problem with it . Now

spokesman DiRita has asked the Inspector General for an audit of all Pentagon

hiring of reporters to make sure. I have asked that in the department

that we review, with that specific issue in mind, to make sure that we

are staying well within the lines." Still the question of using the

military.. Anytime that the government has to assure you, believe me, take

my word for it, I'm telling you nothing but the truth, um you know you

should be worried But these sites can be viewed not just abroad, but

also in the US, and the military is prohibited from conducting influence

operations in this country.. raising the concern among many here, that

the sites could be inappropriate..  (END)



See Disclaimer pages here - 

http://www.balkantimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/document/setimes/footer/disclaimer/disclaimer

(QUOTE - The Southeast European Times is a Web site sponsored by the US Department of Defence in support of UN Resolution 1244. It is designed to provide an international audience with a portal to a broad range of information about Southeastern Europe.)

And an Arab "news" site -

http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/document/awi/footer/disclaimer/disclaimer

(QUOTE- Magharebia is a Web site sponsored by the US Department of Defence. It is designed to provide an international audience with a portal to a broad range of information about the Maghreb region.)