The internal report - obtained by The New York Times - detailed particular vulnerabilities in what it called "the largely unregulated" area of general aviation. The report makes clear that counterterrorism officials still consider the aviation industry to be a prime target for major attacks.
While the news grabbed headlines this past weekend, the Transportation Security Administration has been spinning a very different story. The TSA has been putting out video news releases that have been broadcast on local news stations as real news. This is an example.
The article reports that at least 20 federal agencies - including the Defense Department and the Census Bureau - have distributed hundreds of television news segments in the past four years. Many were then broadcast on local stations without crediting the government as the source of the information.
The article goes on to state that "the administration's efforts to generate positive news coverage have been considerably more pervasive than previously known. At the same time, records and interviews suggest widespread complicity or negligence by television stations." Later the article says that "some reports were produced to support the administration's most cherished policy objectives like regime change in Iraq and Medicare reform...They often feature quote, unquote "interviews" with senior administration officials in which questions are scripted and answers rehearsed. Critics are excluded as are any hints of controversy, waste or mismanagement."
This is another example of a video news release produced by the State Department.
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AMY GOODMAN: The T.S.A. has been putting out video news releases that have been broadcast on local news stations as real news. Here is an example.
JENNIFER MORROW: For most Americans, New Year's Eve simply marks the end of another year, but for the Transportation Security Administration, it represents another success in the drive to strengthen aviation security and restore America's confidence in air travel. At every airport, the evidence of new and better security, a top-notch workforce of federal security screeners, more bomb sniffing dogs on patrol and now screening of checked bags for explosives.
SPOKESPERSON: Less than a year ago, T.S.A. had only a handful of employees to get the job done. Today more than 20,000 screeners are checking bags at over 400 airports in America, making sure they're safe before they're loaded onto planes.
JENNIFER MORROW: It’s one of the most remarkable campaigns in aviation history. Thousands leaving impressive careers and good jobs to take up the front lines in the war against terrorism.
WOMAN: I have experienced flying in and out of national for a while, and yes, it is much better. And I feel very good about traveling today.
JENNIFER MORROW: The T.S.A. met a November deadline to position highly trained passenger screeners at security checkpoints. And now at the end of the year, the latest improvement, making sure every piece of checked baggage is screened for bombs.
SCREENER: Every bag will be x-rayed and screened. We deal with the ETD and the EDS technology. If there's a case where there's an explosive device in a bag it, will be retrieved and detected before it boards the aircraft.
JENNIFER MORROW: The T.S.A. will use electronic equipment to screen bags at all 429 U.S. airports. And where necessary, dogs, hand searches and bag-matching techniques to get the job done, all of it to insure that every bag is safe before it gets loaded onto a plane, and just as importantly, to give Americans who fly another reason to have peace of mind. This is Jennifer Morrow reporting.
AMY GOODMAN: That was a video news release featuring a reporter who is actually a public relations professional working under a false name for the Transportation Security Administration. Yesterday, The New York Times featured an extensive front page investigation detailing the extent that prepackaged news releases produced by the federal government are being used by television stations all across the country. The article reports that at least 20 federal agencies, including the Pentagon and the Census Bureau, have distributed hundreds of television news segments in the past four years. Many were then broadcast on local stations without crediting the government as the source of the information. The article goes on to state, quote, “The administration's efforts to generate positive news coverage have been considerably more pervasive of than previously known. At the same time records and interviews suggest widespread complicity or negligence by television stations.” Later, The New York Times piece says, quote, “Some reports were produced to support the administration's most cherished policy objectives, like regime change in Iraq and Medicare reform.” They often feature, quote, unquote, “interviews” with senior administration officials in which questions are scripted and answers rehearsed. Critics are excluded as are any hints of controversy, waste or mismanagement. Let me bring you now another example of a news release, but we're going to do this after the break. Coming up, we'll see a news release that came out from the State Department around Iraq. This is Democracy Now! We'll go to that after this break.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: Our guests are Pulitzer Prize winning reporter, Laurie Garrett. She has just quit Newsday, issuing a scathing memo about the state of the media today. On the phone with us, we're joined by John Stauber of P.R. Watch. But let me bring you the second of these VNRs, that's video news releases, that local newscasts are using around the country. This one was produced by the State Department.
REPORTER: The televised images from Baghdad prompted celebrations from Iraqi Americans all across the United States. They seemed to revel in the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime, as much as they did in Baghdad. In suburban Detroit, hundreds of Iraqi Americans marched triumphantly through the streets. The community of Dearborn is home to America's largest Arab community. On Warren Avenue people chanted, "No more Saddam," as they honked horns and waved Iraqi and American flags.
IRAQI AMERICAN 1: We love the United States! We love America! They help us!
IRAQI AMERICAN 2: Yes!
REPORTER: In this Kansas City cafe, Iraqi Americans watch the historic events on TV.
IRAQI AMERICAN 3: I'm very, very happy. I said, thank you, Bush. Thank you, U.S.A. I love Bush, I love U.S.A., because they do that for Iraqi people’s freedom.
REPORTER: At the Arab American Center in San Jose, California:
IRAQI AMERICAN 4: To see him toppled and destroyed, it's very gratifying. It's very gratifying to all of the Iraqis.
REPORTER: At this Mid-Eastern market in Denver, Colorado:
IRAQI AMERICAN 5: I never heard anybody who said he wants to see Saddam stay so they all want Saddam to go.
REPORTER: For Iraqis living in the U.S., the nearly quarter century-long nightmare in their homeland is now drawing closer to the end.
AMY GOODMAN: A video news release produced by the State Department.
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