U.S. Military Covertly Pays to Run Stories in Iraqi Press

[Hansmeister]

I was trying to implement something like that when I was in Bosnia, back then with little success. Looks like we're having more success now.

[Bill Moore]

Guys this obviously isn't successful if it made news. Now everything we put out will be suspect. This was foolish ploy that terribly backfired, and it flounts the principles we say we're fighting for. I'm far from nieve, and if a program like this has utility, then it need to be properly classified and not leaked to the press. I think someone failed to do a proper risk versus gain on this on.

[SWJED]

1 Dec. Washington Post - Military Planting Articles in Iraq Papers.

Positive articles about the war in Iraq written by U.S. troops have been appearing in Iraqi newspapers under the guise of independent journalism, part of a coordinated effort by the U.S. military to win over Iraqi civilians, according to military officials.

Officers in Iraq say the program is an essential element of an "information war" against an insurgency adept at spreading its message through local and international media, largely with violent acts. The newspaper articles promote the positive aspects of the United States-led coalition's work and encourage Iraqis to take part in the burgeoning democracy.

"This is a military program to help get factual information about ongoing operations into Iraqi news," said Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman in Baghdad. "Because this is part of our ongoing operations and an important part of countering misinformation in the news by insurgents, I can't provide details of what that entails. I want to emphasize that all information used for marketing these stories is completely factual."

[Bill Moore]

It really doesn't matter if it is the truth, the fact that we leaked that we were putting these articles into the local press and trying to hide the source will make them suspect. Since perception is reality, then it stands to reason if they don't trust us they won't believe us, even when it is readily apparent to us (we're not the intended audience) that it is true.