Post by Moses on Nov 19, 2005 8:05:44 GMT -5
Smith-Mundt act was passed after WWII to prevent what happened in Germany happening here. It was recognized that propaganda was the major reason dictatorship and wars of aggression and the rest occurred in Germany. Now the neocons are proposing that the "restrictions" of Smith-Mundt be removed, and that foreign-aimed US propaganda networks be broadcast here.
Accordingly, if the international broadcasters are to be seen primarily as news agencies, they should be given all possible means to succeed in a highly competitive media environment—especially in the Arab world where Al-Hurrah competes with more than 100 other satellite TV channels. In that case, a change in the Smith–Mundt Act would be a wise decision to help build domestic support for the international broadcasters constrained by it. Simulútaneously, broadcasting to a domestic audience could give more incentives for the public to underústand and support the broadcasters’ mission. Furúthermore, it could lead to an increase in program quality by appealing to experts or other possible guests who would otherwise not see the signifiúcance in appearing in front of a foreign audience where they are often unknown.
www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/Iraq/hl909.cfm
Accordingly, if the international broadcasters are to be seen primarily as news agencies, they should be given all possible means to succeed in a highly competitive media environment—especially in the Arab world where Al-Hurrah competes with more than 100 other satellite TV channels. In that case, a change in the Smith–Mundt Act would be a wise decision to help build domestic support for the international broadcasters constrained by it. Simulútaneously, broadcasting to a domestic audience could give more incentives for the public to underústand and support the broadcasters’ mission. Furúthermore, it could lead to an increase in program quality by appealing to experts or other possible guests who would otherwise not see the signifiúcance in appearing in front of a foreign audience where they are often unknown.
www.heritage.org/Research/MiddleEast/Iraq/hl909.cfm