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A bit off topic, but the Bush Administration paid a prominent journalist $240,000 to tout its No Child Left Behind legislation, according to this story by Greg Toppo in USA Today.
The campaign, part of an effort to promote No Child Left Behind (NCLB), required commentator Armstrong Williams "to regularly comment on NCLB during the course of his broadcasts," and to interview Education Secretary Rod Paige for TV and radio spots that aired during the show in 2004.Williams said Thursday he understands that critics could find the arrangement unethical, but "I wanted to do it because it's something I believe in."
The top Democrat on the House Education Committee, Rep. George Miller of California, called the contract "a very questionable use of taxpayers' money" that is "probably illegal." He said he will ask his Republican counterpart to join him in requesting an investigation.
The contract, detailed in documents obtained by USA TODAY through a Freedom of Information Act request, also shows that the Education Department, through the Ketchum public relations firm, arranged with Williams to use contacts with America's Black Forum, a group of black broadcast journalists, "to encourage the producers to periodically address" NCLB. He persuaded radio and TV personality Steve Harvey to invite Paige onto his show twice. Harvey's manager, Rushion McDonald, confirmed the appearances.
Williams said he does not recall disclosing the contract to audiences on the air but told colleagues about it when urging them to promote NCLB.
This is propaganda, purely and simply.
It's also a separation of powers issue. The Fourth estate is supposed to act as a check upon, not a paid lackey of, the government.
But their should be no separation of shame. Both the Bush Administration (which also paid for fake news spots to promote its Medicare drug bill and NCLB) and Armstrong Williams deserve the loudest Bronx cheer you can summon.
Here's hoping someone, maybe Senator Susan Collins, who heads the Government Affairs Committee, holds some public hearings and embarrasses the right people.
This is behavior fit for a fifty-cent republic, and this country deserves better.
Posted by Ryan Singel at January 7, 2005 09:30 AM
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