Military Channel Reports for Duty

[katty]

April 25, 2005 edition

ON THE AIR: Master Sgt. Sean Lehman presents the news on the Pentagon Channel, which targets members of the military and their families, but also is carried by some regular cable companies.
ANDY NELSON - STAFF

Military channel reports for duty

The Pentagon Channel, now one year old, supplies info to troops - and, critics say, propaganda.

By Randy Dotinga | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

The anchors and reporters wear uniforms instead of neckties and suits, and the commercials promote the military, not laundry soap and cutlery sets. But otherwise, the Pentagon Channel - which is on the cusp of its first anniversary - looks and sounds a lot like CNN and C-SPAN.
To the people who run the Department of Defense television network, that's exactly the point. To critics, that's exactly the problem. When the government creates a cable channel that reminds viewers of a news network, down to the live Pentagon briefings and interviews with Washington big shots, is it a form of propaganda or just a savvy way to communicate with the troops?

"We provide news and information and focus on the morale of our military as well," says Allison Barber, deputy assistant secretary of Defense, who oversees the Pentagon Channel.

"We don't shy away from the tough stuff," she says, "but we embrace the stories that are uplifting and important for our morale."

more at...http://csmonitor.com/2005/0425/p11s01-usmi.html

[Elidor]

1. It's the Propaganda Channel

Only a fool would take what they say uncritically.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Kerrytravelers]

3. Bet I won't be seeing it where I live.

Blue Pasadena, in Blue Los Angeles in Blue California.