July 15, 2013

Ban on Domestic Broadcast of US Propaganda Lifted





[From article]
But if anyone needed a reminder of the dangers of domestic propaganda efforts, the past 12 months provided ample reasons. Last year, two USA Today journalists were ensnared in a propaganda campaign after reporting about millions of dollars in back taxes owed by the Pentagon's top propaganda contractor in Afghanistan. Eventually, one of the co-owners of the firm confessed to creating phony websites and Twitter accounts to smear the journalists anonymously. Additionally, just this month, The Washington Post exposed a counter propaganda program by the Pentagon that recommended posting comments on a U.S. website run by a Somali expat with readers opposing Al-Shabaab. "Today, the military is more focused on manipulating news and commentary on the Internet, especially social media, by posting material and images without necessarily claiming ownership," reported The Post.

When a government official speaks e.g., Jay Carney or Barack Obama at a news conference,  how is that not propaganda? Tune in to the networks and what is not propaganda?

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/07/12/us_backs_off_propaganda_ban_spreads_government_made_news_to_americans

U.S. Repeals Propaganda Ban, Spreads Government-Made News To Americans
Posted By John Hudson
Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 7:06 PM
Foreign Policy

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