Pentagon Media Strategy– REVEALED!!!
Satire
While attending the 5th annual milblog conference this weekend a senior defense official slipped me a copy of a highly-unclassified PowerPoint slide outlining the Pentagon’s internal strategy for dealing with the news media.
I am publishing the slide EXCLUSIVELY here at lineofdeparture.com to pull the curtain back on the techniques the powerful Pentagon Press Office uses to successfully influence news coverage.
The never-secret document, not obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), clearly shows how Pentagon is continuing to attempt to persuade reporters and news organization to present a more sympathetic version of events more in line with official Pentagon pronouncements.
The 9-point Media “CONOP” includes several tactics apparently designed to keep journalists off balance, including a devious emphasis on “sticking to the facts, avoiding speculation, and never lying.” Even veteran Pentagon reporters are likely to be bamboozled when confronted with forthright answers, instead of the usual spin and “no comment” about bad news.
But some of the problematic rules smack of propaganda, including techniques squarely aimed at influencing public opinion favorably, such as orders to “protect the record”, by “correcting inaccuracies.” But despite the herculean effort that would be required to correct the literally thousands of media mistakes, the document identifies no source of additional funding for the “inaccuracy correcting initiative, (ICI).
At least one part of the directive appears aimed at potentially muzzling spokespeople, advising them they can keep negative statements out of print buy simply not saying them. Sounds extreme, and the “gag rule” also seems at odds with another provision of the media manipulation plan to avoid “no comment.”
It’s not the first time the Pentagon has issued conflicting guidance to public affairs officials, sources confirm to lineofdeparture.com
Also curiously, one instruction – “stay in your lane” — appears related to some safety issues involved with driving he Pentagon’s confusing parking lot and road system. Why it’s in the media strategy is unclear.
