David Barstow

Four-Star Elephant in the (News)room

Stevie Converse — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:28:08 -0700

On the heels of an April 20 New York Times investigative report exposing the hidden relationship between media military analysts and the Pentagon and defense industries, Media Matters for America today exclusively released an accounting of the analysts identified in the Times exposé

'Deafening' Silence on Analyst Story

Stevie Converse — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:03:16 -0700

Even with countless media outlets available these days, a Sunday New York Times cover story could always be counted on to send a jolt through the television news cycle.

The News Media: Watchdog or Lap Dog?

Stevie Converse — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:00:52 -0700

It is becoming more and more difficult for the news media to undertake serious investigative reporting.

Putting the Pentagon Pundits on Pause

Stevie Converse — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:34:34 -0700

The New York Times had quite a front-page scoop eight days ago, when it reported on a Pentagon program that recruited retired military officers, who’ve since become lobbyists or consultants for military contractors, to become propaganda agents of the Bush administration.

TV Networks Remain Mum on NYT Pentagon-Media Propaganda Story -- Critics Keep Firing

Stevie Converse — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:04:42 -0700

The massive New York Times probe 10 days ago about retired military officers, prepped by the Pentagon, who served as influential television commentators since the runup to the Iraq war -- and also have conflicting ties to defense contractors -- has sparked a serious backlash among many journalists, such as Howard Kurtz, and others since it ran a week and a half ago.

Government Curries Favor with Military News Analysts

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:20:11 -0700

The Pentagon may influence the analysis of some retired military personnel who appear on television news programs, the New York Times recently reported. Media insiders discuss the details of this murky world of defense companies, the current administration and the war in Iraq.

Special Report Aired Quotes from Military Analyst, But Didn't Mention He Was Named in NYT Article

Stevie Converse — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:27:55 -0700

In two separate reports since The New York Times published an exposé on the hidden ties between media military analysts and the Pentagon, Fox News' Special Report aired quotes from Fox News military analyst Robert Scales without mentioning that Scales was named in the Times article and addressing Scales' relationship with the Defense Department and defense contractors.

A 7,600-Word Disappearing Act

Stevie Converse — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:47:50 -0700

The New York Times reported on April 20th that several dozen retired military leaders with ties to groups competing for hundreds of billions in government contracts have for years taken part in a Pentagon campaign to generate favorable news coverage of the Bush administration’s handling of the Iraq war.

The Latest Proof that the Karl Rove Playbook Has Become the MSM's Bible

Stevie Converse — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:29:30 -0700

One of the main themes of my new book, Right Is Wrong, is the role the media have played in allowing the lunatic fringe now in control of the Republican Party -- the people who believe in torture but don't believe in evolution -- to hijack our democracy.