Installing an independent media in Iraq just like the government run one at home.
WASHINGTON — As part of an information offensive in Iraq, 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. mission in Iraq.The articles, written by U.S. military "information operations" troops, are translated into Arabic and placed in Baghdad newspapers with the help of a defense contractor, according to U.S. military officials and documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
Many of the articles are presented in the Iraqi press as unbiased news accounts written and reported by independent journalists. The stories trumpet the work of U.S. and Iraqi troops, denounce insurgents and tout U.S.-led efforts to rebuild the country.
Because, you know what our view of Arabic television is...
PRESIDENT Bush planned to bomb Arab TV station al-Jazeera in friendly Qatar, a "Top Secret" No 10 memo reveals.But he was talked out of it at a White House summit by Tony Blair, who said it would provoke a worldwide backlash.
A source said: "There's no doubt what Bush wanted, and no doubt Blair didn't want him to do it." Al-Jazeera is accused by the US of fuelling the Iraqi insurgency.
The attack would have led to a massacre of innocents on the territory of a key ally, enraged the Middle East and almost certainly have sparked bloody retaliation.
Nah, that couldn't be right. We love, honor and hold the media in high regard here. They're our symbol of freedom, right? Let's check in with our friends in the media watchdog agency AIM.
Al-Jazeera hopes to launch an English language channel next year. Is there anyone in the Congress or this Administration who is willing to try to stop them?
Well Cliff, I think the answer to your question is a resounding, YES.
Would someone please offer an apology to Eason Jordon?
Posted by kerry at December 1, 2005 02:19 AM