Not-So-Free Iraq Media Plans Released

The nonprofit research group National Security Archive has posted online a U.S. Defense Department white paper and slide presentation from January 2003, describing the Pentagon's plans for a pre-Iraq invasion "Rapid Reaction Media Team," and post-invasion plans for establishing a "Iraqi Free Media" network. In March 2003, the Pentagon awarded Science Applications International Corporation a $15 million contract to establish the "Iraqi Free Media" network, under Defense Department official Douglas Feith. The white paper states, "Having professional US-trained Iraqi media teams immediately in-place to portray a new Iraq (by Iraqis for Iraqis) with hopes for a prosperous, democratic future, will have a profound psychological and political impact." Listed among the "free" media network's "broadcasting and publishing concept plan" are a "USG [U.S. government]-approved 'Democracy Series,'" and "Entertainment and News Magazine programming" covering "Hollywood." The slide presentation tasks the "Rapid Reaction Media Team" with "broadcasting and printing approved USG information to the Iraqi public."