War / Peace

War Is a Rich Time for Students of Propaganda

Submitted by John Stauber on

PR Week commentator Paul Holmes writes that "the 'embedding' of reporters in military units is the most brilliant
strategic decision of this entire campaign, since its effect appears to
be the transformation of usually intelligent reporters into Pentagon
[Public Relations Officers]. As someone in the administration obviously realised, it's hard to
hold on to journalistic integrity when you're dependent for continued

No
Main Source: 
British Edition of PR Week, April 4, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
Journalism
Ethics
Propaganda

The Pro-War Myth of the Spat Upon Soldier

Submitted by John Stauber on

News stories, letters to the editor and speeches at pro-war rallies repeat claims that US soldiers returning from Vietnam were routinely spat upon by peace protesters. Its repeated in large papers like USA Today , on TV talk shows and by radio broadcasters. Don't believe it, its a propaganda myth.

No
Main Source: 
Orange County Weekly, April 4, 2003
Topics: 
Rhetoric
War / Peace

Myths and Misconceptions About the War

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Since the beginning of the Iraq war, write Brendan Nyhan and Bryan Keefer, "politicians and the American media have continued to circulate misinformation, much of which has gone largely unchecked." On the Spinsanity.org web site, they have compiled a list of "myths and misconceptions about the war." Examples include:

No
Main Source: 
Spinsanity.org, April 4, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq

Official Story Vs. Eyewitness Account

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"A recent Washington Post article describing the killing of civilians by U.S. soldiers at a checkpoint outside the Iraqi town of Najaf proved that 'embedded' journalists do have the ability to report on war in all its horror. But the rejection by some U.S. outlets of Post correspondent

No
Main Source: 
Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, April 4, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
Journalism
Ethics

Battle of the Brands -- Pro & Anti War Sentiment Fuels Boycotts

Submitted by John Stauber on

USA Today reports on "a surge of anti-Americanism that threatens to erode the global dominance of American brands. ... Nike, Coca-Cola and McDonald's are just a few examples of U.S. companies that sell more than half their products abroad. Their value and the prices they can charge depend strongly on their brand image. And though Coke, Levi's, Budweiser and the like have nothing to do with the Bush administration's foreign policy, they become de facto targets for protesters lashing out at the USA's dominance. ...

No
Main Source: 
USA Today, April 4, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
Marketing

The Press & The Myths of War

Submitted by John Stauber on

Veteran military correspondent Chris Hedges writes that "when the nation goes to war, the press goes to
war with it. The blather on CNN or Fox or MSNBC is part of a long and
sad tradition. The narrative we are fed about war by the state, the entertainment
industry and the press is a myth. ... The coverage of war by the press has one consistent and pernicious
theme--the worship of our weapons and our military might. Retired
officers, breathless reporters, somber news anchors, can barely hold

No
Main Source: 
The Nation, April 3, 2003
Topics: 
Journalism
Ethics
War / Peace

Using the War to Sell Mustard and Movies

Submitted by John Stauber on

George Hesselberg writes, "let me be the 500th columnist in the United States to jump on the French's Mustard public relations people for the company's astounding press release that got -- congratulations -- national press last week. The company wanted everyone to know that 'The only thing French about French's mustard is the name!' ... And leave it to Hollywood to make the peace sign a commercial symbol. The comedy movie, What a Girl Wants, is advertised picturing the lead actress ... flashing the peace sign. ...

No
Main Source: 
Wisconsin State Journal, April 3, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
Rhetoric

The Fog Of War

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"'Fog' is the watchword of this war, with the lines between fact and propaganda being blurred on a daily basis. The demands of round-the-clock news means military claims are being relayed instantly to millions without being confirmed or verified only to be refuted later by reporters on the ground or by fresh military updates," the Guardian writes in an article examining contradictory claims made in first two weeks of war on Iraq.

No
Main Source: 
Guardian (UK), April 3, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq

Al-Jazeera Gets the Boot

Submitted by Sheldon Rampton on

Al-Jazeera reporter Tayseer Allouni has been ordered out of Baghdad by the Iraqi government, which is unhappy with his reporting. In response, the Arabic satellite network has suspended reporting from the country until it gets an explanation. The action comes at a time when, according to Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post, U.S. journalists are "pumped" by reports of a POW rescue and news of fresh U.S. military advances.

No
Main Source: 
Guardian (UK), April 3, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
Journalism
International

Talking For Turkey

Submitted by Laura Miller on

"Turkey, which agreed on April 2 to let the U.S. transport supplies through its territory to coalition forces in Iraq, used its large team of American lobbyists to get its message of long-term friendship and strategic importance across to members of Congress," O'Dwyer's PR Daily reports. "The lobbyists were sent into action after some members of Congress, who were upset over Turkey's refusal to let U.S.

No
Main Source: 
O'Dwyer's PR Daily, April 2, 2003
Topics: 
Iraq
International
Lobbying

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