'Deafening Silence' from Networks in Response to 'NYT' Scoop on TV/Pentagon Propaganda Program

By: E&P Staff "Even with countless media outlets available these days, a Sunday New York Times cover story could always be counted on to send a jolt through the television news cycle," Politico.com reports today. "But apparently that?s no longer the case. Indeed, reporter David Barstow?s 7,600-word investigation of the Pentagon?s military analyst program -- whereby ex-military talking heads, often with direct ties to contractors, parroted Defense Department talking points on the air -- has been noticeably absent from television airwaves since the story broke on April 20.

"While bloggers have kept the story simmering, Democratic congressional leaders also are speaking out, calling for investigations that could provoke the networks to finally cover the Times story -- and, in effect, themselves."

On Tuesday, Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and John Dingell (D-Mich.) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin ?urging an investigation of the Pentagon?s propaganda program? to determine if the networks or analysts violated federal law.

The full story can be found here.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has posted all of the documents, transcripts and audio it released to the Times' Barstow for his article over many months. Talking Points Memo has put together some commentary and links here.