PR Meets Psy-Ops in War on Terror

LA Times ^ | 12/1/04 | Mark Mazzetti

[JustAnotherOkie]

* The use of misleading information as a military tool sparks debate in the Pentagon. Critics say the practice puts credibility at stake.

WASHINGTON — On the evening of Oct. 14, a young Marine spokesman near Fallouja appeared on CNN and made a dramatic announcement.

"Troops crossed the line of departure," 1st Lt. Lyle Gilbert declared, using a common military expression signaling the start of a major campaign. "It's going to be a long night." CNN, which had been alerted to expect a major news development, reported that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallouja had begun.

In fact, the Fallouja offensive would not kick off for another three weeks. Gilbert's carefully worded announcement was an elaborate psychological operation — or "psy-op" — intended to dupe insurgents in Fallouja and allow U.S. commanders to see how guerrillas would react if they believed U.S. troops were entering the city, according to several Pentagon officials.

[JustAnotherOkie]

This certainly proves the credibility of the Pentagon to me. Our troops lives are far more important than some perceived 'Credibility Gap'.

That is the price news organizations pay for their access.

[pikachu]

I could just imagine all the 'journalists' rushing in ahead of the expected troup deployment and running into the terrorists. Thus solving two problems.

[kahoutek]

"........psychological and information operations, the use of often-misleading information and propaganda to influence the outcome of a campaign or battle."

And the point is..........?

[JustAnotherOkie]

My point exactly.

[JeeperFreeper]

Interesting post. My suggestion to the Pentagon is to take those officials there that worry about their credibility and transfer them as civilian adjuncts to front line grunt units in Iraq of Afghanistan for several months( Lying to and manipulating the press should be encouraged; it's only doing to the press what the press does to the military everyday in nearly every report from Iraq.)

[gov_bean_ counter]

In other news...

ESPN reporters decried the Boston Celtics use of a timeout after seeing how the Lakers would set up for an inbounds play.

[kahoutek]

"........it's only doing to the press what the press does to the military everyday in nearly every report from Iraq...."

Besides being an effective tactic, it does have a 'value added' aspect........

[WorkingClassFilth]

This is rich, Really a savory dish for the holidays.

A known media slut like CNN, on their knees before Saddam for over a decade - and paying him for the privelege - carried his personally shaped messages to the entire world with a straight face as honest-to-god news.

Now they're upset because they have been used.

The only thing that could make this little confection better would be to put some ice on it.