Fake Journalist Used By Bush Administration for Propaganda

[shoeless]

OK, hopefully, I have everyone's attention now. The other thread has been locked, and no problem. Let's talk about the real issue here. That is the use by the Bush administration of raw propaganda.

Once again, the letter by my great Senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin to George W. Bush. Republicans, please read this and comment.

Dear Mr. President,

At a press conference in the White House on January 26, you stated that “there needs to be a nice, independent relationship between the White House and the press.” In that same press conference, you called on a reporter then known as Jeff Gannon, who worked for an organization called Talon News.

Since that time, the public has learned that the real name of that reporter is James Dale Guckert, not Jeff Gannon, and that he had regular access to the White House press facilities for more than a year. We have also learned that the questions he posed at White House press briefings and the stories he filed for Talon News frequently mirrored Republican Party talking points, that Talon News is a news organization in name only and that it has apparently close connections to the Republican party.

Given the unprecedented level of security in Washington since 9/11, it is troubling that that a non-journalist using a false name and working for a sham news organization could have gained regular access to the White House for such an extended period of time.

Another reason the Gannon/Guckert affair is disturbing is because of what we have recently learned about apparent efforts by some in your Administration to try to “buy” favorable news coverage. These other efforts include paying news personalities Armstrong Williams and Maggie Gallagher large sums of money to promote your Administration’s education and marriage initiatives, and using tax payer dollars to produce video news releases promoting the new prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries and other policies the Administration regards as accomplishments. A recent report by the General Accountability Office called such video news releases illegal uses of public funds. More recently, we have heard troubling reports that Social Security Administration officials may be using public funds and pressuring public employees to promote your goal of privatizing Social Security.

As you know, concerns that government officials may be trying to deceive the public by manipulating the media can be extremely corrosive to public

trust. For that reason, we respectfully request that you order an immediate and thorough investigation into the Gannon/Guckert matter. How is it possible that a man using a fake name, with dubious journalism credentials, was able to clear the White House’s extensive security screening process and gain such close access to you and your staff for such an extended period of time? Have there been other, similar breaches of security and journalism standards?

We appreciate your prompt attention to this important matter. We urge you to order a full inquiry so that the American people know the facts.

 

[Milla]

In other news, Bush thinks Putin is no good on press freedom. Hold on, I have a .jpg somewhere around here of a pot and a kettle...

 

[Sycophant]

That's actually a really good summary of the issue involved. Nicely written.

 

[seebs]

Very well written; I particularly like the charitable assumption that it's merely incompetent security screening, not willful deceit.

 

[shoeless]

Very well written; I particularly like the charitable assumption that it's merely incompetent security screening, not willful deceit.

Yes, Senator Durbin is always quite polite when sticking the screws to Republican fascists.

 

[PACKY]

Yes, Senator Durbin is always quite polite when sticking the screws to Republican fascists.

how do you really feel about it?

 

[shoeless]

"Jeff Gannon's" incredible access
There's evidence he got into White House briefings before he was a "reporter."
By Eric Boehlert

Excerpt:

Feb. 17, 2005 | James Guckert's mysterious career as a White House correspondent for Talon News just took another strange twist. And once again, the newest revelation raises the central question: Who broke the rules on Guckert's behalf to give him access to the White House? Despite administration claims that Guckert simply followed established protocol in order to routinely slip inside the White House briefing room, it now appears clear that Guckert, who just months before his 2003 debut as a cub reporter was offering himself up online as a $200 an hour male escort, benefited from extraordinarily preferential treatment, likely granted by someone inside the White House press office.

Thanks to the continued digging by online sleuths, there's now documented evidence that Guckert attended White House briefings as early as February 2003. Guckert, using his alias "Jeff Gannon," once boasted online about asking then-White House press secretary Ari Fleischer a question at the Feb. 28, 2003, briefing. The date is significant because in order to receive a White House press pass, Guckert would have needed to prove that he worked for a news organization that, in the words of White House press secretary Scott McClellan, "published regularly," in itself an extraordinarily low threshold. Critics have charged that while Talon News may publish regularly, it boasts a nearly all-volunteer news team that includes not a single person with actual journalism experience. (The team does, though, have quite a bit of experience working on Republican campaigns.) In other words, the outfit is not legitimate or independent, two criteria often used in Washington to receive press credentials.

But what's significant about the February 2003 date is that Talon did not even exist then. The organization was created in late March 2003, and began publishing online in early April 2003. Gannon, a jack of all trades who spent time in the military as well as working at an auto repair shop (not to mention escorting), has already stated publicly that Talon News was his first job in journalism. That means he wasn't working for any other news outlet in February 2003 when he was spotted by C-Span cameras inside the White House briefing room. And that means Guckert was ushered into the White House press room in February 2003 for a briefing despite the fact he was not a journalist.

 

[PACKY]

That means he wasn't working for any other news outlet in February 2003 when he was spotted by C-Span cameras inside the White House briefing room. And that means Guckert was ushered into the White House press room in February 2003 for a briefing despite the fact he was not a journalist.

I honestly feel that any United States Citizen should be allowe acess to the whitehouse press room, were all paying for it therefore we are all partial owners, I am sure this is not a isolated case of padded questions and fake reporters, after all politicians are good for two things, 1) raising taxes 2) lying.

 

[tollytee]

Hey, Shoeless,

So, what? You have not made a single point here. You parrot what you here on the talking-head shows, but you have not made any substantial points.

You state that tax-payer monies were spent to make a drug benefit ad. This is bunk. The monies came from a GOP political group, you know it, it's been confirmed in your own parties press releases, and you are restating a bunch of garbage that means nothing. Therefor, who is the propogandist here?

God's blessings to all.

 

[shoeless]

I am sure this is not a isolated case of padded questions and fake reporters...

You are correct, sir!

U.S. Videos, for TV News, Come Under Scrutiny

By ROBERT PEAR

Excerpt:

WASHINGTON, March 14 "New York Times" Federal investigators are scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose as journalists praising the benefits of the new Medicare law, which would be offered to help elderly Americans with the costs of their prescription medicines.

The videos are intended for use in local television news programs. Several include pictures of President Bush receiving a standing ovation from a crowd cheering as he signed the Medicare law on Dec. 8.

The materials were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, which called them video news releases, but the source is not identified. Two videos end with the voice of a woman who says, "In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting."

But the production company, Home Front Communications, said it had hired her to read a script prepared by the government.

Another video, intended for Hispanic audiences, shows a Bush administration official being interviewed in Spanish by a man who identifies himself as a reporter named Alberto Garcia.

Another segment shows a pharmacist talking to an elderly customer. The pharmacist says the new law "helps you better afford your medications," and the customer says, "It sounds like a good idea." Indeed, the pharmacist says, "A very good idea."

The government also prepared scripts that can be used by news anchors introducing what the administration describes as a made-for-television "story package."

In one script, the administration suggests that anchors use this language: "In December, President Bush signed into law the first-ever prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about how the law will help older Americans and people with disabilities. Reporter Karen Ryan helps sort through the details."

The "reporter" then explains the benefits of the new law.

Lawyers from the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, discovered the materials last month when they were looking into the use of federal money to pay for certain fliers and advertisements that publicize the Medicare law.

 

[tollytee]

Shoeless,

With all due respect. First, there are no codified rules for who has access to the WH. Each administration decides who has access and who doesn't. Do they make this determination based on politics? You betcha. As have all other administrations before.

As far as an investigation looking into payments to journalists? Again, big deal. There are no prohibitions against it, if the monies are not from the public coffers. This was the case during the Nixon era and the law is clear in this regard.

Let's face it. Most journalists propogandize. It is a part of the beast. To claim that Reps do it and Dems don't is fantasy.

Respectfully,
Tolly

 

[shoeless]

Shoeless,

With all due respect. First, there are no codified rules for who has access to the WH. Each administration decides who has access and who doesn't. Do they make this determination based on politics? You betcha. As have all other administrations before.

As far as an investigation looking into payments to journalists? Again, big deal. There are no prohibitions against it, if the monies are not from the public coffers. This was the case during the Nixon era and the law is clear in this regard.

Let's face it. Most journalists propogandize. It is a part of the beast. To claim that Reps do it and Dems don't is fantasy.

Respectfully,
Tolly

Did you bother to read the excerpt from the article I posted? The Bush administration did pay for fake newscasts performed by fake reporters, who were merely actors. The money came from the Dept. of Health and Human Services. That is public taxpayer money.

As far as allowing party hacks to pose as journalists, so they can ask softball question at White House press conferences, Bush's former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer disagrees with you.

"I found out that he worked for a GOPUSA site and I didn't think it was my place to call on him because he worked for something that was related to the party.

"I don't think that party organizations should have people in that room acting as reporters,” Fleischer continued. “They are advocates, not reporters and a line should be drawn." Fleischer nonetheless resumed taking Guckert's questions, he says, after the GOPUSA site owner, Bobby Eberle, phoned him and convinced him that it was not an "official" Republican website.


Excerpt from Keith Olberman MSNBC

So Ari knew about this guy a long time ago. He understood it was wrong, but went back to the charade, since Talon "News" wasn't an "official" GOPUSA website. It was just funded by GOPUSA. If Ari Fleischer knew Gannon/Geckert was a fake jounalist, so did his successor, Scott McClellan, and so did Bush.

Is lying one of their "moral values"?

 

[tollytee]

Sir:

Again, you misstate the facts. When you state, 'the Bush Administration', you give the impression that the money came from Congress. It did not. It came from one of many GOP political action organizations. Did someone in the WH direct the funds? Yes.
But that is a far cry from what you are propounding here.

Respectfully,
Tolly

 

[tollytee]

Says who? The problem with you is that you don't bother to check your facts. You simply repeat what you heard on some talkshow and spew it out as fact.

Show me your evidence and I will humble apologize and give you due credit.

 

[shoeless]

Sir:

Again, you misstate the facts. When you state, 'the Bush Administration', you give the impression that the money came from Congress. It did not. It came from one of many GOP political action organizations. Did someone in the WH direct the funds? Yes.
But that is a far cry from what you are propounding here.

Respectfully,
Tolly

Yes, Gannon/Guckert was funded to pose as a journalist by GOPUSA. I was talking about the fake "News" reports which were funded by the Dept. of Health and Human Services to spread White house propaganda about Bush's prescription drug plan.

WASHINGTON, March 14 "New York Times" Federal investigators are scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose as journalists praising the benefits of the new Medicare law, which would be offered to help elderly Americans with the costs of their prescription medicines.

You see, I was not misstating anything. Please try to pay attention. The Bush administration paid for FAKE NEWS SEGMENTS.

 

[shoeless]

Fake news, fake reporter
Why was a partisan hack, using an alias and with no journalism background, given repeated access to daily White House press briefings?

By Eric Boehlert

Excerpts:
Feb. 10, 2005 | When President Bush bypassed dozens of eager reporters from nationally and internationally recognized news outlets and selected Jeff Gannon to pose a question at his Jan. 26 news conference, Bush's recognition bestowed instant credibility on the apparently novice reporter, as well as the little-known conservative organization he worked for at the time, called Talon News.

Suskind questions the White House's explanation that Bush had no idea who Gannon was when he called on him during the press conference. "Frankly, my sense is that almost nothing happens inside the White House episodically. They are so ardent with their message discipline. It all happens for a reason."

And it's not as if finding out the connection between Talon and GOPUSA was difficult. The Standing Committee of Correspondents, a group of congressional reporters who oversee press credential distribution on Capitol Hill, did just that last spring when Gannon approached the organization to apply for a press pass. "We didn't recognize the publication, so we asked for information about what Talon was," says Julie Davis, a reporter for the Baltimore Sun who is on the committee. "We did some digging, and it became clear it was owned by the owner of GOPUSA. And we had asked for some proof of Talon's editorial independence from that group ... They didn't provide anything, so we denied their credentials, which is pretty rare," says Davis. She adds, "There's limited space, and particularly after 9/11 there's limited access to the Capitol. Our role is to make sure journalists have as much access as possible, and to ensure that credentials mean something."

Talon's unusual access to the White House has upset journalists at other small outlets who don't enjoy the same privileged connections. "We're a weekly newspaper with a circulation of 22,000 and I'm pretty sure we couldn't get a White House press pass," says Mike Hudson, editor of the Niagara Falls Reporter in Niagara Falls, N.Y. "How does Gannon, which isn't even his real name, get past security?" Hudson wrote to Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., asking her office "to look into how a partisan political organization and an individual with no credentials as a reporter -- and apparently operating under an assumed name -- landed a coveted spot in the White House press corps."

 

[PACKY]

You are correct, sir!.

When I said that this is not a Isolated Incident I mean that I am sure that both political parties are guilty of using this PR scheme and is that it is just one of the many ways the two party system tries to continue to lull the American people into Submission. I am sick of pcking between apples and oranges arent you? it doesnt help that they are both rotten.

 

[shoeless]

When I said that this is not a Isolated Incident I mean that I am sure that both political parties are guilty of using this PR scheme and is that it is just one of the many ways the two party system tries to continue to lull the American people into Submission. I am sick of pcking between apples and oranges arent you? it doesnt help that they are both rotten.

You make a serious charge against the Democrats with no evidence.

In the 1980's I too was a Libertarian. I voted third party my entire life until 1998. That's when I finally realized the Republicans are truely insane and must be stopped. I have voted Democrat ever since. These latest revelations about rampant Republican propaganda, fake "news" reports paid for by taxpayer monies, journalists like Armstrong Williams and others on the White House payroll, and fake journalists bankrolled by Republican political action committes covering White House press conferences, convince me ever more strongly that these corrupt, enemies of democracy must be stopped. Only the Democrats have the ability to stop them. Third parties are powerless in the face of the GOP juggernaut.

 

[PACKY]

Only the Democrats have the ability to stop them. Third parties are powerless in the face of the GOP juggernaut.

That's what they want all Americans to think, the whole dont vote for a third party because youre just wasting your vote, Hmmmmm.... what if we all wasted our vote?
The Dems and Reps. work together to keep teh two party system it is both of their intrests to have half a chance at power then one third correct? They are getting tob both the same product in different packaging and advertising thats it, The two party system in America is a mere Dog and Pony show.Only Once more people get involved and see the strength in numbers that could come from a third party victory will things change.

 

[Borealis]

My first reaction to the title of this thread was, 'Dan Rather switched sides?'

My second reaction, upon looking at the OP, was 'tempest in a teacup.' As for the pot calling the kettle black, as someone else mentioned in a post, I submit that a White House reporter throwing softball questions, let alone sucking up outrageously, to the President is not exactly a new phenomenon, is it? Well, maybe for BUSH it is, but certainly not for the previous occupant. Who will ever forget the gushing Rather in 1993?

"If we could be one-hundredth as great as you and Hillary Rodham Clinton have been in the White House, we’d take it right now and walk away winners...Thank you very much and tell Mrs. Clinton we respect her and we’re pulling for her."

Or how about this wonderful sentiment, from Time contributor and former reporter Nina Burleigh recalling what she told the Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz about her feeling toward Bill Clinton, as recounted by Burleigh in the July 20, 1998 New York Observer. (Edited for at least a pretense of decency)

"I would be happy to give him [Bill Clinton] (oral sex) just to thank him for keeping abortion legal. I think American women should be lining up with their presidential kneepads on to show their gratitude for keeping the theocracy off our backs."

And of course, there's that paragon of journalistic integrity, Geraldo Rivera, with this hard-nosed, no-holds-barred message to the president in 1998:

"Mr. President, we love you. I want to hug you, I want to hug you, please do the right thing. This is nothing, this is nothing. Thomas Jefferson did not have this in mind, I swear to God....I would give Ken Starr the Nobel Peace Prize were he to be man enough not to refer a sex lie to the House for impeachment. We’ll be right back, stay tuned folks"

The thing that amazes me about this whole Gannon/Guckert thing is that the left is going ballistic about the news that Gannon is gay. Suddenly, being gay is a bad thing to the left? Or is it just because he's not part of the gay rights lobby who hate Bush beyond human comprehension? He's an apostate gay man, apparently, and as people like Condoleeza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Christopher Hitchens, and David Horowitz can attest, hell hath no fury than the left-wing scorned.

I mean, the whole thing started when the Boston Globe started investigating a White House reporter who had the nerve to criticize Bush's opponents instead of his Administration. They put two people on this story, and dug into his background. Doesn't that seem a tad bit unusual, that the Boston Globe would go tracking down a reporter just because he appeared friendly to the Bush administration? Seriously, people, get a clue.