War / Peace

ITT Thirsts for Good Press

by Diane Farsetta — February 19, 2009 - 1:50pm

The major military contractor ITT Corporation has hired the PR firm Edelman, to promote the company "in the defense and commercial markets, as well as raise awareness of its ongoing CSR," or corporate social responsibility, efforts.

Main Source: 
PR Week, February 3, 2009

The Mercenaries Previously Known as Blackwater

by Diane Farsetta — February 16, 2009 - 2:08pm

First it was Blackwater USA. Then it was Blackwater Worldwide. Now, it's "Xe" (pronounced "Zee").

Main Source: 
Washington Post, February 14, 2009

AP Versus the Military-Industrial-Media Complex, Pts 2 and 3

by Diane Farsetta — February 9, 2009 - 2:36pm

"You want to make sure you edit it in the right way," said Major Alayne Conway, who served as a U.S. military public affairs officer in Iraq.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, February 6, 2009

Mission Creep Reaches U.S. Newsrooms

by Diane Farsetta — February 6, 2009 - 3:50pm

"Over the past five years, the money the [U.S.] military spends on winning hearts and minds at home and abroad has grown by 63 percent, to at least $4.7 billion this year," reports the Associated Press. "That's almost as much as it spent on body armor for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2004 and 2006. ...

Main Source: 
Associated Press, February 5, 2009

Stealth Campaign for Stealth Fighter Jets

by Diane Farsetta — February 4, 2009 - 5:16pm

From PreserveRaptorJobs.comPreserveRaptorJobs.com is "a one-page site that urges visitors to write President Obama in support" of the F-22 Raptor, a $340 million stealth

Main Source: 
Wired.com blog "Danger Room," February 3, 2009

Pentagon Absolves Self for Covert Pundit Program

by Diane Farsetta — January 20, 2009 - 5:24pm

"It is a whitewash," said Representative Paul Hodes. "It appears to be the parting gift of the Pentagon to the [former] president [Bush]," he added, referring to an internal investigation (pdf) into the Pentagon's pundit program.

Main Source: 
New York Times, January 16, 2009

Classic Case of Revolving Door at Defense Department

by Judith Siers-Poisson — January 12, 2009 - 5:04pm

Until June 2008, William Lynn was senior VP-government operations for Raytheon, the world's fifth largest defense contractor. Despite that recent stint as a lobbyist, President-elect Barack Obama has nominated him to become deputy defense secretary, which would put him "in charge of day-to-day Pentagon operations." The nomination requires Congressional approval.

Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub req'd), January 9, 2009

An Army of $15.5 Million

by Diane Farsetta — January 7, 2009 - 2:48pm

The Chicago-based ad firm Leo Burnett "has agreed to pay $15.5 million to settle charges that it over-billed the U.S.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), January 7, 2009

Air Force Blog Assessment

This "Air Force Blog Assessment" chart specifies "rules of engagement" for dealing with bloggers.

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One-sided View of Gaza Attacks Predominates in US Media

by Sheldon Rampton — December 28, 2008 - 5:24pm

"In the usual process," writes Greg Mitchell, "the U.S. government -- and media here -- are playing down questions about whether Israel overreacted in its massive air strikes on Gaza, while the foreign press, and even Haaretz in Israel, carries more balanced accounts. The early reports on Sunday already reveal the bombing of a TV station and mosque and preparations for an invasion." Mitchell cites eyewitness accounts that describe morgues full of civilians, along with editorial stating that Israel's bombing of Gaza "within the span of a few hours ...

Main Source: 
Editor and Publisher, December 27, 2008
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