This is a paid commercial (for Iraqis only)

So the big story lately is how the our military has contracted out to a company called The Lincoln Group to buy media space in Iraqi newspapers to run positive stories. In other words, paid propaganda by the Pentagon.

Now this doesn't surprise me in the least. The Bush Administration has been previously caught paying "journalist" in our own country to write positive stories with the appropriate White House spin.

What's strange to me is the Bush Administration's version of a free press. Apparently the only free press they believe in is the one they can buy off. Well, maybe not so strange when you consider the Bush friendliness with the upper reaches of the corporate media. And of recent revelations, friendliness with reporters of the ilk such as Judith Miller formerly of the New York Times and newly exposed Bob Woodward of the Washington Post, reporters who were allowed inside who were nothing but recorders of the White House line.

In a previous post I cautioned Iraqis about democracy, American style. I should now caution them about media, American style. People of Iraq, don't believe everything you read in the paper! Of course I could just as easily be saying this to Americans as well.

In this day of advanced technology within the media it sometimes seems the truth is more elusive than ever. Increasingly I hear complaints from both sides of the political divide that the media is biased. Certainly in some cases it is, but for the most part the bias is towards incompetence and profit, which can be a huge problem for finding the truth. They say that the truth will set you free. I'm wondering at what price is that truth and who's paying for it.