News Intelligence Analysis
Government Use of Propaganda
Recent incidents raise concerns about
whether Administration officials improperly used taxpayer funds
to pay for efforts to influence public opinion. (Last Updated
Feb. 10, 2005)
[Editor's Note: For additional reports and studies on propaganda use in the government and on corruption, please see our Directory on Government Abuse ]
Chronology
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
HHS Questioned on Continued Use of Video News Releases
Reps. Waxman, Miller, and DeLauro write to HHS about a recent
report that the agency continues to use prepackaged video news
releases as part of the Department's public relations efforts.
Monday, February 28, 2005
SSA Altered Communications to Undermine Public Confidence
A new report released by Reps. Waxman, Rangel, and Levin, along
with Democratic Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Hoyer, and other
senior members of Congress details how the Social Security Administration
has systematically altered its public communications.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
GAO Reminds Agencies of Covert Propaganda Ban
The Comptroller General writes to all executive branch agency
heads to advise them of the restrictions on spending for "publicity
and propaganda," specifically noting the GAO's finding that
some prepackaged news stories are illegal covert propaganda.
Friday, January 28, 2005
President Urged to Order Disclosure of Covert Propaganda
The House Democratic leadership and ranking Democratic members
ask the President to direct the release of all contracts for
secret publicity campaigns to promote administration policies.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Federal Public Relations Spending Has Doubled under the Bush
Administration
Democratic Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Hoyer, Rep. Waxman,
Rep. Dingell, Rep. Obey, Rep. Rangel, Rep. Miller, Rep. Slaughter,
Rep. Thompson, and Rep. DeLauro released a new report today showing
that the Bush Administration spent a record $88 million on government-funded
public relations contracts in 2004, a 128% increase since 2000.
The Federal Propaganda Prohibition Act, which Rep. DeLauro and
other members will introduce today, would ban covert federal
propaganda campaigns and require the disclosure of all federal
PR contracts.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Members Raise Questions about SSA Documents
Democratic Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Hoyer, Rep. Waxman,
Rep. Obey, Rep. Rangel, Rep. George Miller, Rep. Levin, and Rep.
DeLauro raise concerns that the Social Security Administration?s
2005 communications plan could violate the prohibition on publicity
and propaganda by promoting the message that Social Security
is facing a collapse.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
GAO Asked to Investigate Administration's Use of Covert Propaganda
In light of recent incidents in which taxpayer funds have been
improperly used to influence public opinion, Democratic Leader
Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, and six other senior members of Congress
ask GAO to examine the use of covert propaganda by departments
and agencies under the Bush Administration.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Lawmakers Call on President to Renounce Use of Covert Propaganda
Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, Rep. George Miller, Rep.
Obey, and Rep. Cummings write the President about three recent
incidents in which taxpayer funds have been improperly used by
Administration officials to pay for covert efforts to influence
public opinion.
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