UPDATED - ColdType

EMBEDDED: WEAPONS OF MASS DECEPTION
THE NETWORKS AND
NEWS MANAGEMENT
he Takingsides.blogspot.com site published
some internal memos in and documents
in April 2003 that strike me as
believable, given my own experience as a
producer inside two TV networks. They
speak to the amount of micro-management that
takes place within news divisions at a time of
national crisis. The site describes these documents
this way:
“Recently, a mid-level executive of one of the
three major American television networks sent on
over 1,500 pages of memos from the corporate
offices of his network in New York to the head of
their television news division.
“These memos contain a multitude of instructions
concerning the presentation of national and
international news for the network’s viewers. It
would be impossible to show all of these revealing
documents but selections are certainly possible.
What is not possible, obviously, is to reveal either
the name of the conscience-stricken media executive
nor the company that employs him.”
Excerpts:
“February 10. It is not permitted at this point to
use or refer to any film clips, stills or articles emanating
from any French source whatsoever.
“February 26. It is expected that coverage of the
forthcoming Iraqi campaign will be identical with
the coverage used during Desert Storm. Shots of
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GIs must show a mixed racial combination. Any
interviews must reflect the youthful and idealistic,
not the cynical point of view. The liberation of
happy, enthusiastic Iraqis can be best shown by
filming crowds of cheering citizens waving American
flags. Also indicated would be pictures of photogenic
GIs fraternizing with Iraqi children and
handing them food or other non-controversial presents.
Of course, pictures of dead U.S. military personnel
are not to be shown and pictures of dead
Iraqi soldiers should not show examples of violent
death. Also indicated would be brief interviews
with English-speaking Iraqi citizens praising American
liberation efforts. All such interviews must be
vetted by either the White House or Pentagon
before public airing.
“March 26. U.S. alliances with the Turkish/Iraqi
Kurdish tribes should be played down. This is considered
a very sensitive issue with the Turks and
American arming and support of the Kurds could
create a severe backlash in Ankara. Kurds should
be depicted as ‘Iraqi Freedom Fighters” and not
identified as Kurds.
“March 2. Further references to the religious
views of the President are to be deleted.
“March 15. Photo opportunities of the President
and members of his cabinet, especially Secretary
Rumsfeld, with enthusiastic GIs.
“March 25. No mention of either Wolfowitz or
Pearle should be made at the present time.