Reply #21: U.S. military officials describe Iraq propaganda program for first time

[Judi Lynn]

Posted 12/3/2005 10:00 AM Updated 12/3/2005 10:10 AM

U.S. military officials describe Iraq propaganda program for first time
WASHINGTON (AP) — The military says it may change a controversial information campaign, following reports it was paying Iraqi media to run favorable stories.

Military officials for the first time Friday detailed and broadly defended a Pentagon program that pays to get stories published in the Iraqi media, an effort the top U.S. military commander said was part of a campaign to "get the truth out" there.

But facing critics in the United States, including from lawmakers of both parties, the military raised the possibility of making changes in the program.

"If any part of our process does not have our full confidence, we will examine that activity and take appropriate action," said Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman in Iraq. "If any contractor is failing to perform as we have intended we will take appropriate action."
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-03-iraq-news-stories_x.htm