May 09, 2007

Iraq: the Media War Plan

Date: Tue, 8 May 2007 15:02:56 -0400
Reply-To: National Security Archive <archive@GWU.EDU>
Sender: The National Security Archive <NSARCHIVE@HERMES.GWU.EDU>
From: National Security Archive <archive@GWU.EDU>
Subject: Iraq: The Media War Plan


National Security Archive Update, May 8, 2007


IRAQ: THE MEDIA WAR PLAN


White Paper and PowerPoint Briefing on "a critical interim rapid response component of the USG's strategic information campaign for Iraq - in the event hostilities are required to liberate Iraq."


For more information contact:
Joyce Battle - 202/994-7000


http://www.nsarchive.org


Washington DC, May 8, 2007 - In January 2003 Defense Department planners recommended the creation of a "Rapid Reaction Media Team" to serve as a bridge between Iraq's formerly state-controlled news outlets and an "Iraqi Free Media" network, according to a White Paper and PowerPoint slides that were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and are posted today on the Web by the National Security Archive.


The Pentagon team would portray a "new Iraq" offering hope of a prosperous and democratic future, which would serve as a model for the Middle East. American, British, and Iraqi media experts would be hand-picked to provide "approved USG information" for the Iraqi public, while an ensuing "strategic information campaign" would be part of a "likely 1-2 years ... transition" to a representative government. A new weekly Iraqi newspaper would feature "Hollywood" along with the news.


Defense Department planners envisioned a post-invasion Iraq where the U.S., in cooperation with a friendly Baghdad government, could monopolize information dissemination. They did not account for independent media outlets, the Internet, and all the other alternative sources of information that are available in the modern world. The U.S. media campaign has not been able to control the message - but its execution was privatized, and contracting has made it a profitable enterprise for those able to capitalize on the Pentagon's largesse.

Get a comfy chair, tilt back while pretending to be a government contractor on security issues and watch this!  Unbelievable, or TOO believable.



Today's posting also includes an "Iraq Media Timeline" that summarizes the U.S. media campaign and the difficult conditions faced by reporters in Iraq.


For more information, see today's posting at http://www.nsarchive.org .


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