Pentagon Emails Detail TV Propaganda Plans

Defense officials sought military experts willing to "carry our water"

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2008 4:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Need more proof that the Pentagon coached ostensibly impartial military analysts about what to say on TV? In Salon, Glenn Greenwald reveals emails from one top defense staffer who suggested developing a core group of insiders who are “most reliably friendly” and that “we can count on to carry our water.” A Rumseld aide agreed, adding, "We're already doing a lot of this." The allegations first surfaced in a New York Times investigative piece.

The staffer adds: "This trusted core group will be more than willing to work closely with us because we are their bread and butter and the more they know, the more valuable they are to the networks.” Pentagon officials hoped the analysts, including colonels and generals, would influence news coverage of the war. The three most active analysts are the most common military commentators on MSNBC.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Top Pentagon officials under former Secretary Donald Rumsfeld coached military analysts on what to say during TV appearances. (AP Photo/Chris Greenberg, File)

A Pentagon official said said the agency could rely on analysts because "we are their bread and butter." (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

For TV appearances, the Pentagon coached retired Gen. Wayne Downing on what to say about the Iraq war. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, File)

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Pimp:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/washington/20generals.htmlMESSAGE MACHINEBehind Military Analysts, The Pentagon's Hidden HandA PENTAGON CAMPAIGNRetired officers have been used to shape terrorism coverage from inside the TV and radio networks.By DAVID BARSTOW (hunchybunker)

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Pentagon Emails Detail TV Propaganda Plans