USA Today reports that the Pentagon is setting up a global network of foreign-language news websites, including an Arabic site for Iraqis, and hiring local journalists to write current events stories and other content that promote US interests and counter insurgent messages. The paper says that the news sites are part of a Pentagon initiative to expand “Information Operations” on the Internet. Neither the initiative nor the Iraqi site, www.Mawtani.com, has been disclosed publicly.The Mawtani site is named for the Iraqi national anthem and means “my homeland.” It is available in Arabic, Farsi and Urdu — but not in English — and is supervised by the Pentagon’s Iraq command.
The US Southern Command is building a similar site for Latin American audiences. The Pacific Command, which covers Asia, is interested in setting up a news site, says Navy Lt Cmdr Amy Derrick-Frost, a spokeswoman.
(Source: Radio Netherlands Media Network Weblog)
USA Today full story:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-04-30-sites_N.htm
