Pentagon profiles Afghan-bound journos
If you’re heading for an embed in Afghanistan, be prepared to be profiled by a contractor hired by the Pentagon to compile dossiers on reporters to determine whether they are negative, positive, or neutral.
Stars and Stripes reported in its Monday, Aug. 24, editions that the Rendon Group of Washington, D.C., has been hired to look at the work of individual reporters and make that assessment, although there was no indication what the criteria are.
MRE President Ron Martz harshly criticized the practice, saying “it is just another way the Pentagon is trying to shape the news that comes from the war zone. The Pentagon should be focused on fighting the war, not profiling journalists. The fact that they won’t profile terrorists but they will profile journalists is an incredible misuse of resources.”
Martz went on to say that “It is my understanding that the contract is in the neighborhood of $1.8 million in taxpayer dollars. That money could have been put to much better use fighting the war or providing services for returning veterans and their families. MRE and its members would be happy to supply Pentagon officials with recent clips from journalists who want to embed at a significantly lower cost to the taxpayers.”
