Pro TSA Media Blitz?
 

I'm seeing pro-TSA editorials everywhere! Even in my local independent paper (SFGate). TSA seems determined to sway public opinion against anyone who wants to opt-out, the focus seems mostly on the pat-downs, which they might scale down a little to get good publicity.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Well, in the last decade, we've seen the media assume the "responsibility" of defending excesses of the government. No real surprise that they do it this time.

Yes, it's very strange. After a week of anti-scan columns from both regular columnists and a couple of well-written op-ed's, Boston Globe published a purely pro-TSA editorial.

It seems strange almost to the point of being suspicious (and I don't think I'm at all paranoid or even political - usually I'm completely not interested in anything political at all and this is the first time I've ever contacted a congress person).

Just remember how almost all news outlets are now the property of giant media companies. Never know when the management gets a phone call or secure email.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.5.0.81 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Some lady on DC news this morning was saying how she was okay with the security measures because it made us safer. Then, the anchor said that there were many more like her. So many dumb Americans.

Shut Up And Be Scanned
 

http://www.theagitator.com/2010/11/2...nd-be-scanned/

Turns out this same paper (LA Times) also told Japanese-Americans to shut up and report to their concentration camps.

This ought not to be a surprise. Being an outlet for government propaganda is one of the main activities of even private sector media outlets. It's easier -- and cheaper -- to take the word of Government (and its "yes-'men'") as gospel and spread it than to spend time critically investigating the "official line" and getting in the way of pro-governmental public relations spin efforts.

Out of curiosity, are these editorials all similar in nature? IOW, did the TSA give an an outline to media and ask them to write such?

The propaganda team is out in full force, and this IS political. WaPo is dead-slam supporting TSA with editorials, columnists, and headlines "2/3 of Americans support body scanners".

They even ran an article today about how the folks in the White House are frustrated that they can't control the debate.

Yet when Bush was in office....

Gov is in full court press propaganda mode.

Every gov spokesperson is cutting deals with their media contacts right now. "place this positive story for TSA, gain access to the white house for that interview". "we really need the public's support on this issue, it is critical for national defense".

If they are taking these steps, then the process is having an effect, but it is a warning that they will stop at nothing.

This is nothing new. We've seen it used with great effect over the last couple of years. You would have thought that the election would have taught a lesson.

Tomorrow is just one minor battle in what might be a long but very worthwhile fight. Eventually the people ALWAYS win.

Pistole did a puppy interview this AM on NPR

Yup - global recession + paying for multiple feel-good, trust us advertisements and media appearances = responsible government fiduciary actions

What an ignorant statement---to malign millions of Americans (calling them "dumb") simply because they don't agree with your opinion on the matter. Sometimes the internet brings out ugliness. I think FT posters, generally speaking, exhibit more tact. Even though we may not agree with TSA's new security measures, this doesn't mean that all the others are "dumb" for being okay with them. They could, just as well, bemoan that we, those of us who disagree with TSA security measures, are "dumb." There's no real need attack fellow Americans like this.