WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon in 2002 was forced to shutter its controversial Office of Strategic Influence (OSI), which was opened shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks, after reports that the office intended to plant false news stories in the international media. But officials say that much of OSI's mission -- using information as a tool of war -- has been assumed by other offices throughout the U.S. government.
Although most of the work remains classified, officials say that some of the ongoing efforts include having U.S. military spokesmen play a greater role in psychological operations in Iraq, as well as planting information with sources used by Arabic TV channels such as Al Jazeera to help influence the portrayal of the United States.
Other specific examples were not known, although U.S. national security officials said an emphasis had been placed on influencing how foreign media depict the United States.
On one hand I know its in our military's best interest to mislead the media to keep operations secret and secure. On the other hand, I'd hate to see this sort of thing get out of hand to the point where the military isn't ever telling the media the truth.
There's a very thin line between right and wrong on this sort of thing. The military needs to be careful not to cross it.