Terrorism

Tortured Reasoning for Destroying Evidence of Torture

by Judith Siers-Poisson — January 2, 2008 - 3:32pm

Steve Benen writes that "As it turns out, the reasoning behind the CIA's decision to record interrogations on video, stop recording interrogations on video, and destroy the interrogation videos was all exactly the same: officials were hoping to avoid a public-relations nightmare." They were unsuccessful, of course, since the media reported widely on the destruction of the tapes and

Main Source: 
The Carpetbagger Report, December 30, 2007

The Rhetoric Beat

by Sheldon Rampton — December 28, 2007 - 2:23am

Language plays a powerful role in shaping political decisions, argues Brent Cunningham. As an example, he points to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, "when the choice of words -- by the press and government officials -- played a crucial role in setting America on a course that led, ultimately, to our military action in Iraq. ...

Main Source: 
Columbia Journalism Review, November/December 2007

"Posted to YouTube, Sir!"

by Judith Siers-Poisson — December 20, 2007 - 7:24pm

YouTube has become de rigeur for posting official war propaganda. As CMD reported in October 2007, NATO has dedicated at least 1 million Euros (about $1.46 million U.S.) to produce and post footage to the popular video sharing site. In Britain, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Royal Navy and Royal Air Force all have channels on YouTube, with dozens of short videos shot by or with their forces.

Main Source: 
BBC News, December 13, 2007

Wolfowitz Rides Again with Bush/Cheney

by John Stauber — December 6, 2007 - 1:08pm

Bill Berkowitz reports that Paul Wolfowitz "has been offered a position as chairman of the International Security Advisory Board -- formerly known as the Arms Control and Nonproliferation Advisory Board -- a prestigious State Department pane

Main Source: 
Media Transparency, December 6, 2007

NATO Considers Joining the Media War

by Diane Farsetta — October 31, 2007 - 3:21pm

"At the end of a two-day informal meeting of defence ministers in the Netherlands, NATO's secretary general reiterated ...

Main Source: 
The Canadian Press, October 25, 2007

Shared Values Revisited

by Sheldon Rampton — October 17, 2007 - 7:17pm
  • Topics: Advertising, Terrorism, International, Propaganda, Religion

    • I received a request recently from a university professor who teaches a course about media literacy. She was wondering if I could help her find videos of the "Shared Values" television ads that the U.S. Department of State produced to improve the image of the United States in Muslim countries shortly after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, so she could show them to her students.

    Catching Up With al Qaeda

    by Sheldon Rampton — October 15, 2007 - 3:10pm

    "America should hire al-Qaeda's PR Agent," argues Matt Armstrong. Iraq, he says, has become "a stage" for "a new public diplomacy that insurgents understand, and the U.S. State Department doesn't. ...

    Main Source: 
    GOOD Magazine, October 3, 2007

    Alexis Debat: One Well-Connected Faker

    by Diane Farsetta — October 4, 2007 - 1:56pm

    Over the past month, former ABC News consultant / reporter and self-described "terrorism analyst" Alexis Debat has been exposed for "having published fake interviews with Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Alan Greenspan,

    Main Source: 
    Mother Jones, October 2, 2007

    Loose Lips Sink Ships, NSA Warned Reporters

    by Diane Farsetta — October 2, 2007 - 2:58pm

    Concerned at news reports on its electronic surveillance, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) has held "an unprecedented series of off-the-record 'seminars' in recent years to teach reporters about the damage caused by such leaks and to discourage reporting that could interfere with the agency's mission to spy on America's enemies," reports Josh Gerstein.

    Main Source: 
    New York Sun, September 27, 2007

    AEI & Freedom's Watch Seek $200 Million to Sell War on Iran

    by John Stauber — October 1, 2007 - 9:21am

    The New York Times reports that Freedom's Watch is working with the American Enterprise Institute to lobby for war with Iran. "'If Hitler's warnings were heeded when he wrote Mein Kampf he could have been stopped,' said Bradley Blakeman, 49, the president of Freedom's Watch and a former deputy assistant to Mr.

    Main Source: 
    New York Times, September 30, 2007
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