I think you should’ve said … And if you seriously don’t understand the implications of paying newspapers in a country you invaded to run FACTUAL stories, I don’t know that I can really explain it to you.”

That would’ve been more accurate.

I understand the implications, but I weigh that against no good stories being printed and choose the former. What is your solution? I’d be interested to hear it.

I guess initially I was caught off guard by your response because it was so non-chalant. But now that I know you really don’t understand why this could be very damaging to our credibility in Iraq and the region, I’m even more curious why you are so seemingly blaise. And if you seriously don’t understand the implications of paying newspapers in a country you invaded to run stories, I don’t know that I can really explain it to you.

No, I’m not kidding. In a war, I don’t have a problem with paying to play factual stories.

It wouldn’t be acceptable to do this in the United States, but a war is going on in Iraq. That changes everything.

It’s not as if we’re planting false stories, and your reaction gives support to that very off based message. I don’t get understand it.

Paying to play factual stories? What’s exactly is the problem?

And by the way, you’re kidding, right Monica?

So what will the Iraqis think when they pick up their papers? That’s the point. Imagine if you knew your papers were actually getting paid to write stories favorable to the adminstration. We saw it recently with Armstrong Williams. He’s disgraced now. So too will be these Iraqi papers, and a stable and trustworthy media is vital in any Democracy.

Also, it bugs since this is exactly what SHOULDN’T be happening in a democracy? This is Saddam regime nonsense, and everybody knows it.

Funny how the central fact that supports his thesis came out of his ass.

That said, I’m not as horrified as some people by the whole thing. It’s not something we should tolerate here, but when fighting a war it seems like a pretty mild tactic. And I say this as one who is very opposed to the war.

Apparently the real purpose of this “information offensive” is to influence not the Iraqi people but America’s own MSM, who gather much of their Iraq-war scoops from Iraqi and Arab media. In other words, the goal is to shore up support for the war on the homefront (where it’s needed the most) rather than in Iraq itself.

Producing war propaganda for the home front is nothing new. (”Why We Fight”, anyone?) The only thing novel about the Iraqi “information offensive” is in its roundabout methodology - propaganda by osmosis, you could call it. It was a clever try - but of course, now that the secret’s out the value of this tactic has pretty much disappeared.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0PBZ/is_5_84/ai_n7069240

“In support of the Multi-National Brigade–East MNB(E) peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, the Army conducted information operations to affect the flow and content of information in the area of responsibility (AOR) and achieved information superiority by disseminating timely, truthful information to key local leaders and populace groups. The operational advantage gained by information superiority was the local populace’s support for MNB(E) operations.”

“MNB(E) operations were constrained to nonlethal means. To support maneuver operations, MNB(E) employed tactical PSYOP teams, a public affairs detachment, civil affairs (CA) tactical support teams, combat camera teams, medical treatment teams, unit commanders, and unit patrols. These dissimilar IO assets used disparate means, such as PSYOP loudspeaker operations and handbills; radio broadcasts; press releases and media events; medical assistance programs; reconstruction and short-term employment projects; face-to-face meetings; and force presence. The challenge of information operations was to translate these means into focused capabilities that fulfilled the commander’s intent.”

“MNB(E)’s primary IO-capable assets were–

* A PSYOP company, which focused on influencing the attitudes, perceptions, and behavior of Kosovo’s indigenous populace. Tactical PSYOP teams conducted loudspeaker operations and faceto-face and other direct PSYOP product dissemination. The company’s PSYOP dissemination detachment produced handbills, posters, and other print products as well as radio and TV programming.”

Why I bet they even “paid” some local newspapers to print their stories….

So did this tactic become “….a major blow to our credibility in Iraq [Kosovo], and could serve to further undermine our mission….” when used in Kosovo? No?

Hmmmm. Oh it will be a problem NOW after the various Lefties spin turn it into pro-terrorist anti-USA propaganda.

But then Bush is in the WhiteHouse so obviously the tactic is Evil.

Sigh. Who needs enemies with friends like these?

This&That