"These records reveal a symbiotic relationship where the usual dividing lines between government and journalism have been obliterated.
Internal Pentagon documents repeatedly refer to the military analysts as “message force multipliers” or “surrogates” who could be counted on to deliver administration “themes and messages” to millions of Americans “in the form of their own opinions.”
Though many analysts are paid network consultants, making $500 to $1,000 per appearance, in Pentagon meetings they sometimes spoke as if they were operating behind enemy lines, interviews and transcripts show. Some offered the Pentagon tips on how to outmaneuver the networks, or as one analyst put it to Donald H. Rumsfeld, then the defense secretary, “the Chris Matthewses and the Wolf Blitzers of the world.” Some warned of planned stories or sent the Pentagon copies of their correspondence with network news executives. Many — although certainly not all — faithfully echoed talking points intended to counter critics.
“Good work,” Thomas G. McInerney, a retired Air Force general, consultant and Fox News analyst, wrote to the Pentagon after receiving fresh talking points in late 2006. “We will use it.”" NY Times
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Yes, and those who did not "play ball" were systematically excluded from access by the Pentagon. The MSM picked up those cues (presumably transmitted by the Administration) and stopped talking to many of the best people.
I was invited to one briefing at the Pentagon. At the meeting, many of those mentioned in this article were present. The purpose of the meeting was to give Rumsfeld the chance to explain the Abu Ghraib mess.
I asked some awkward questions and was not invited again. pl
Colonel,
The NewsHour Thursday night had a clip of their Pentagon Pundits. I thought I saw you. They denied theirs were briefed. Their report then quickly dissolved into he said, she said; talking heads; one saying it was all propaganda and the other that it is Standard Operating Procedure; both true but explaining nothing.
The crashing economy tops the news and Iraq slides into bloody oblivion. None dare tie the two together. During the drive to work on the radio the American Trucking Association economist said that there is a direct correlation between the value of the US dollar and the price of oil. To stop the slide of the dollar, interest rates have to rise and the federal government has to stop deficit spending by raising taxes and stopping the flood of money to the DOD for two Middle East occupations. Any federal money left has to be spent for real national security within the USA for Energy Independence.
Not likely when corporate media ignores the obvious.
Posted by: VietnamVet | 25 April 2008 at 12:06 PM