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April 25, 2008
“this war could have never been sold if it were not for this sophisticated propaganda campaign”
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“we had them on because they knew what they were talking about. They had spent their lives in military affairs ”
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A recent NY Times article has challenged the independence and motives of some retired military TV news commentators. Some analysts regularly receive behind-the-scenes briefings from the Pentagon or have undisclosed ties to defense companies. This video report presents short clips of retired military leaders’ TV appearances, followed by different perspectives from two media insiders. Your class can discuss what facts are known in this story. Has the Times uncovered a “smoking-gun” or is this justifiable business as usual? How much do we need to know about TV “experts.” How do we decide when and whom to trust? Public broadcasters and the NewsHour interview experts on a regular basis: how do we handle it? Below are some links to NewsHour material and web resources that may facilitate further exploration.

NewsHour Links
Pentagon Spokesman Discusses Pentagon-Press Relationship
Media and Military Experts Discuss Iraq War Coverage
Experts Debate Planting News in the Iraqi Media

Other Links
NY Times Behind TV Analysts, Pentagon’s Hidden Hand and Reader Responses
Global Issues website and story: War, Propaganda and the Media
FAIR: Fair & Accuracy In Media
WNET, NPR: On the Media website and radio show segment: Instruments of War

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