Iraq

The Iraq Sell (and Activist Smear) Jobs Continue

by Diane Farsetta — January 6, 2006 - 1:29pm

Main Source: 
The Hill, January 4, 2006

Iraq Information Operations Increase

by Diane Farsetta — December 27, 2005 - 3:06pm

"The military has paid money to try to place favorable coverage on television stations in three Iraqi cities." The military gave one station "about $35,000 in equipment," is "building a new facility for $300,000," and pays $1000 to $2400 a month "for a weekly program that focuses positively on U.S. efforts." An Army National Guard commander confirmed his officers "suggest" stories for the weekly program and review it, before it is aired. The payments are not disclosed to viewers.

Main Source: 
Washington Post, December 26, 2005

Chalabi Unites Iraq

by Sheldon Rampton — December 25, 2005 - 5:35pm

Iraqi voters may not agree on much, but 99.5 percent of them agreed not to vote for Ahmed Chalabi in the country's December 15 election. Once hailed by U.S. neoconservatives as the "George Washington of Iraq," Chalabi's humiliating defeat at the polls makes him something of an embarrasment now. "The election results in Iraq may present Chalabi’s ardent U.S.

Main Source: 
MSNBC, December 22, 2005

Cutouts Speak Out

by Sheldon Rampton — December 18, 2005 - 11:51pm

"U.S. military officials in Iraq were fully aware that a Pentagon contractor regularly paid Iraqi newspapers to publish positive stories about the war, and made it clear that none of the stories should be traced to the United States, according to several current and former employees of Lincoln Group," report Mark Mazzetti and Kevin Sack.

Main Source: 
Los Angeles Times, December 18, 2005

Baghdad Press Club Membership Has Its Privileges

by Diane Farsetta — December 9, 2005 - 3:25pm

"A U.S. investigation into allegations that the American military is buying positive coverage in the Iraqi media has expanded to examine a press club founded and financed by the U.S. Army," reports USA Today. The Baghdad Press Club was created in 2004, "to promote progress amid the violence and chaos of Iraq." A military spokesperson said "members are not required nor asked to write favorably" about the United States.

Main Source: 
USA Today, December 9, 2005

The Victory of Spin

by Laura Miller — December 7, 2005 - 10:16am
  • Topics: Crisis Management, Iraq, Public Diplomacy, Video News Releases, U.S. Government

    • More examples of the Bush administration's manipulation of news spilled out into U.S. newspapers last week. Raising further questions about how the White House continues to spin its "War on Terror," the Los Angeles Times reported on November 30 the U.S. military "is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by American troops in an effort to burnish the image of the U.S.

    Shocked (or Not?) at PR and PsyOps in Iraq

    by Diane Farsetta — December 1, 2005 - 12:36pm

    After the Los Angeles Times reported that the Pentagon, through the Lincoln Group, was planting "favorable stories about the war and the rebuilding effort" in Iraqi newspapers, military spokespeople "offered a mixed message" about the program.

    Main Source: 
    Associated Press, November 30, 2005

    Lincoln Group Bombards Iraq with Fake News

    by John Stauber — November 30, 2005 - 9:10am

    Fake news is being used in the Iraq propaganda war, reports the Los Angeles Times. "[T]he U.S.

    Main Source: 
    Los Angeles Times, November 30, 2005

    The Mirror Unveils Bush's Plan to Bomb Al Jazeera

    The Mirror (UK) reveals details of Bush's plan to bomb Al Jazeera.

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