Related Stories
Pentagon boosts 'media war' unit
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of BBC News
BBC News, October 31, 2006
Posted: November 21st, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6100906.stm
Posted: November 21st, 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6100906.stm
The US defence department has set up a new unit to better promote its message across 24-hour rolling news outlets, and particularly on the internet. The Pentagon said the move would boost its ability to counter "inaccurate" news stories and exploit new media. The newly-established unit would use "new media" channels to push its message and "set the record straight", Pentagon press secretary Eric Ruff said. A Pentagon memo seen by the Associated Press news agency said the new unit would "develop messages" for the 24-hour news cycle and aim to "correct the record". The unit would reportedly monitor media such as weblogs and would also employ "surrogates", or top politicians or lobbyists who could be interviewed on TV and radio shows.