RUMSFELD OP-ED: Arab press immature, more propaganda organs needed

[yurbud]

I post this only because I marvel at the Orwellian logic.

I suppose his idea of a mature journalistic outlet is something like Fox, where they dutifully read their talking points faxed from Karl Rove on the air, and while they are waiting for the next fax, talk about runaway brides, murders, and celebrity romances.

War in the Information Age

In a 24/7 world, the U.S. isn't keeping up with its enemies in the communication battle.

By Donald H. Rumsfeld, DONALD H. RUMSFELD is the secretary of Defense.

<snip>

Regrettably, many of the TV news channels being watched using these dishes are extremely hostile to the West. The growing number of media outlets in many parts of the world still have relatively immature standards and practices that too often serve to inflame and distort rather than to explain and inform. Al Qaeda and other extremist movements have utilized these forums for many years, successfully adding more poison to the Muslim public's view of the West, but we have barely even begun to compete in reaching their audiences.

<snip>

In Iraq, for example, the U.S. military command, working closely with the Iraqi government and the U.S. Embassy, has sought nontraditional means to provide accurate information to the Iraqi people in the face of an aggressive campaign of disinformation.

Yet this has been portrayed as inappropriate: for example, the allegations of "buying news." The resulting explosion of critical media stories then causes all activity, all initiative, to stop. Even worse, it leads to a "chilling effect" among those who are asked to serve in the military public affairs field.

Improving our efforts will likely mean embracing new institutions to engage people around the world. During the Cold War, institutions such as the U.S. Information Agency and Radio Free Europe proved to be valuable instruments for the United States. We need to consider the possibility of new organizations and programs that can serve a similarly valuable role in the war on terror.

Although the enemy is increasingly skillful at manipulating the media and using the tools of communications to its advantage, it should be noted that we have an advantage as well. And that is, quite simply, that truth is on our side. Ultimately, the truth wins out.

I believe with every bone in my body that free people, exposed to sufficient information, will, over time, find their way to the right decisions.

The rest:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rumsfeld23feb23,0,2026191.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions

[valerief]

1. Secretary of Defensiveness is more like it.

[MsMagnificent]

2. Sufficient propaganda

I believe with every bone in my body that free people, exposed to sufficient information, will, over time, find their way to the right decisions.

Not sufficient truth, or facts, but sufficient propaganda he means... he may as well just come right out and say it -- the man is far from a Master manipulator of language.
Oh, and there in his sentence put right decisions in quotation marks where they belong.

[cliss]

3. Isn't that funny?

The old man thinks he's figured out how to solve all the problems we're facing in Iraq and around the world.

Why, it's PROPAGANDA!!! Why didn't he think of this before? Oh, how he must be congratulating himself. A standing ovation, now!!

RumsFailed, in his delayed reactions, has figured out that we're hated around the world. The enemy tells lies about us, it seems. And they're good at it. Now if we can just spread a blanket of propaganda around the world and cover it, we'll be home free.

This reminds me of a certain Emperor in China. I think his name was Chen Chu. He burned all the books.....