PENTAGON CAMPAIGN Retired officers have been used to shape terrorism coverage from inside the TV and radio networks.
Hidden behind that appearance of objectivity, is a Pentagon information apparatus that has used those analysts in a campaign to generate favorable news coverage of the administration’s wartime performance, an examination by The New York Times has found.
>>>The New York Times has revealed that over 75 retired US military officers who have been frequent media commentators are being used as "message force multipliers" by the Pentagon to disseminate Administration talking points on the war in Iraq and the "war on terror" in an propaganda effort to manipulate US public opinion.
Many have serious conflicts of interest, since they work on behalf of defense companies seeking contracts from the Pentagon running into the billions of dollars. Yet, US television networks have portrayed them as independent commentators and failed even to reveal these conflicts of interest.
While the article focuses on TV stations, newspapers including the New York Times have also cited or published op-eds from these retired officers. The New York Times sets a standard for much of the media.
