By: E&P Staff On the heels of reports of the U.S. paying for favorable coverage in Iraqi newspapers comes a Washington Post report that the military has also paid money for good TV notices.
An Army spokesman, Maj. Dan Blanton, said the U.S. has given one of the stations about $35,000 in equipment, is building a new facility for $300,000 and pays $600 a week for a weekly program that focuses positively on U.S. efforts in Iraq. The names of the city and the television station are being withheld.
A local U.S. Army National Guard commander acknowledged that his officers "suggest" stories to the station and review the content of the program before it is aired. The Iraqi television producer said his staff got $1,000 a month from the military. "There was no explanation of the discrepancy between that amount and the figure of $600 per week provided by Blanton," the Post reported.
The commander said: "We want a free and independent press. We found this small little TV [station] and asked if they are able to work with us. Our only guide to them is to tell our story, good or bad."
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here