Karen Ryan Reporting
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/15/politics/15VIDE.html?ex=1394686800&en=03106322a35655a1&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND
Federal investigators are scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose as journalists praising the benefits of the new Medicare law, which would be offered to help elderly Americans with the costs of their prescription medicines.
The videos are intended for use in local television news programs. Several include pictures of President Bush receiving a standing ovation from a crowd cheering as he signed the Medicare law on Dec. 8.
The materials were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, which called them video news releases, but the source is not identified. Two videos end with the voice of a woman who says, “In Washington, I’m Karen Ryan reporting.”
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Another segment shows a pharmacist talking to an elderly customer. The pharmacist says the new law “helps you better afford your medications,” and the customer says, “It sounds like a good idea.” Indeed, the pharmacist says, “A very good idea.”
The government also prepared scripts that can be used by news anchors introducing what the administration describes as a made-for-television “story package.”
In one script, the administration suggests that anchors use this language: “In December, President Bush signed into law the first-ever prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about how the law will help older Americans and people with disabilities. Reporter Karen Ryan helps sort through the details.”
And the Bush Administration defense?
“The use of video news releases is a common, routine practice in government and the private sector,” Mr. Keane said. “Anyone who has questions about this practice needs to do some research on modern public information tools.”
Jon Stewart’s response: “Yeah, didn’t you read the ‘Modern Public Information Tools’ Manual?”
Actually, for more on “modern public information tools” such as the one employed by Bush Administration, try books Toxic Sludge Is Good for You, Trust Us: We’re Experts, and website Disinfopedia.org.