US military reportedly pays "press club" members to cover stories

[Judi Lynn]

US military reportedly pays "press club" members to cover stories

www.chinaview.cn 2005-12-10 01:40:04


WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- A US investigation into allegations that the American military is buying positive coverage in the Iraqi media has expanded to examine a press club founded and financed by the US Army, the USA Today daily newspaper reported Friday.

The Baghdad Press Club was created last year by the US military as a way to promote progress amid the violence and chaos of Iraq, the newspaper reported, citing Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman.

The Army acknowledged funding the club and offering "reporter compensation," but insisted officers did not demand favorable coverage, the report said.

Members of the club were not required nor asked to write favorably, and were simply invited to report on events, another military officer, Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone, was quoted as saying.

Press club members were invited to cover US-led reconstruction efforts, such as restored sewage plants and newly-opened schools, Ahmad al-Hamdani, a reporter at Alhurra, an American-funded television station, were quoted as saying.
(snip/...)

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-12/10/content_3901684.htm

[flordehinojos]

1. bushcos .....

paying for what they want. you have to wonder how much they are paying tweety, leslie blitzer, matt lauer, the couric woman, etc.,etc., etc., and you have to wonder when Poppy was president what did he pay those who were in his white house press corps, people like britt hume, etc., people who, supposedly having the education to know better, cover the bushes asses to no end, and lie and spin for the bushes to no end as well... yes, even juan williams.

that is the country club mentality: i am the master. i pay your services. you are my servant.