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Pentagon Grades Reporters' War Coverage

Documents shed light on Defense efforts to shape news from Afghanistan

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2009 8:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – With a view to trying to influence coverage of the war in Afghanistan, the Pentagon is grading journalists’ work, the Stars and Stripes reports. The military newspaper says it has documents that counter official denials of the practice, with coverage rated as “positive,” “neutral,” or “negative.” The documents also contain advice on how to “neutralize” reporters seen to have a less-than-positive slant.

The Pentagon has farmed out the analysis of reporters from some of America’s top newspapers to a controversial Washington public-relations firm; the Rendon Group denies it keeps a “ranking of reporters.” Fumes one servicemember: “It’s troubling that the military is contracting a private PR firm, paid with US taxpayer dollars, to profile individual reporters. It shows utter contempt for the Constitution, which we in the service pledge our lives to defend.”

The Pentagon is keeping tabs on war coverage, rating it positive, neutral or negative.
The Pentagon is keeping tabs on war coverage, rating it "positive," "neutral" or "negative."   (Wikimedia Commons)
Newspapers on a printing press.
Newspapers on a printing press.   (Wikimedia Commons)
Newspapers.
Newspapers.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
justme
Aug 28, 2009 8:33 AM CDT
Have any of you noticed how the coverage of the wars died right after Obama was elected. Under Bush the coverage was used to bash the administration. Under Obama, the lack of coverage is to cover the president's backside. The pentagon doesn't control the press. Apparently, the White House does.
bewilderbeast
Aug 28, 2009 6:29 AM CDT
We need someone of integrity to do the same: Grade the same reporters on their coverage - only from an HONESTY point of view, not "positive" or "negative". This should be readied to be published in opposition to this disgraceful witch-hunt list at any time. What about a rival PR firm doing it as a service to America?
Rocket448
Aug 28, 2009 5:57 AM CDT
I applaud the zeal of Stars N Stripes' editors. What I've long considered a corporate newsletter has shown that it belongs in tradition of America's great newspapers. Congratulations!

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