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Iraqi Propoganda Defended by Military Official

U.S. military officials have been defending an Iraqi propoganda program which pays Iraqi media to plant stories. A top military official stated that this program was to `get the truth out there.` These comments were made after days of criticizm regarding the program, which plants positively-slanted stories about conditions in Iraq.

Military officials have been published in Iraq `as a function of buying advertising and opinion/editorial space, as is customary in Iraq.` U.S. military troops compile the information and funnel it through the Washington-based Lincoln Group, who in turn coordinate with Iraqi media to run the stories.

However, officials also acknowledged that changes in the program might be needed. Lt. Col. Barry Johnson, a military spokesman in Iraq told the Associated Press, `If any part of our process does not have our full confidence, we will examine that activity and take appropriate action. If any contractor is failing to perform as we have intended, we will take appropriate action.`