Allawi group slips cash to reporters

[Demit]

Slate drily calls this "an apparent nod to U.S.-style democracy".

According to the Financial Times:

"The electoral group headed by Iyad Allawi, the interim Iraqi prime minister, on Monday handed out cash to journalists to ensure coverage of its press conferences in a throwback to Ba'athist-era patronage ahead of parliamentary elections on January 30.

After a meeting held by Mr Allawi's campaign alliance in west Baghdad, reporters, most of whom were from the Arabic-language press, were invited upstairs where each was offered a "gift" of a $100 bill contained in an envelope.

Many of the journalists accepted the cash - about equivalent to half the starting monthly salary for a reporter at an Iraqi newspaper - and one jokingly recalled how Saddam Hussein's regime had also lavished perks on favoured reporters.

Giving gifts to journalists is common in many of the Middle East's authoritarian regimes, although reporters at the conference said the practice was not yet widespread in postwar Iraq."

more at http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a3828a0c-6346-11d9-bec2-00000e2511c8.html

[LynnTheDem]

1. Allawi, being a good CIA-sponsored former terrorist and bushbot installed

by bush is only doing what BUSH HIMSELF does!

Pay journalists for covert propaganda. It's the NEW AMERICAN WAY!

[Seldona]

2. Slate drily calls this "an apparent nod to U.S.-style democracy".

Sad.

They don't even try to really hide it anymore. When will American wake up and begin holding these CIVIL SERVANTS accountable?

[Supersedeas]

10. but true.

[arwalden]

15. Salon Scores A Direct Hit

[0007]

3. Good '0 capitalism at work in Iraq coached by the US.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Is Allawi actually delusional enough to believe the Iraqi people...

...aren't on to his shit? If he (or anyone handpicked by the US) wins this election, all hell is going to break loose.

[saigon68]

5. All HELL has already broken Loose

It will get WORSE.

[Massachusetts]

6. Understated

[tanyev]

7. Telling remark--

one jokingly recalled how Saddam Hussein's regime had also lavished perks on favoured reporters.

New boss, same as the old boss.

[Supersedeas]

8. I recall a guy named Armstrong and the current US Admin

There is more than one way to 'embedd' a so-called reporter.

[Cocoa]

16. another telling remark

Giving gifts to journalists is common in many of the Middle East's authoritarian regimes,

[tanyev]

18. You are so right.

Emphasis on authoritarian regime, I believe?

[spanone]

9. Was Armstrong there? Hey, if there's money to be made...

They are learning from the best!!! Or the sleaziest, depending on your lean.

[Candide]

13. monkey see, monkey do.....

[insane_cratic_gal]

11. It's in the bag

Aren't we lending them our system of democracy? LOL Allawi is a shoe in.

In other words, it's already fixed for ya Mr. Allawi, just let Us put their idea of democracy in place for ya and your elected just as Bush was

[DemoTex]

12. Press corps or whore corps?

Ho's-R-Us, Baghdad chapter.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KansDem]

17. "...offered a "gift" of a $100 bill contained in an envelope"

Was this for one or both ears? I could see some bargaining here: "Say, Allawi, I'll listen to ya! For $75 I use one ear, but for $115 I'll give you both ears! Wotta deal!"

Incidentally, as of 2005.01.11 19:49:38 GMT:
100.00 USD United States Dollars = 146,255.00 IQD Iraq Dinars

[daleo]

19. Bush-Allawi and bribing the press. Like father, like son. n/t

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

20. Officer, I'd like to take care of this, right here, in Brainerd...

[SideshowScott]

21. World to USA " I hear your reporters are Whores! "

( and no offense to any hard working reporter fighting the good fight in a hard time to be one..I more than give you a standing ovation and support )
With the Armstrong scandal and most of cable news fighting each other to see who can kiss more Bush and GOP ass its not shocking to me that the world sees the American Journalists as nothing but whores just waiting for some money to turn a blind eye and write a glowing report for the customer. I hope that they can see how one of our rights that we are most pridefull of has become tarnished in the eyes of the world.
How sad really..

[struggle4progress]

22. Ten to one the money passed through US hands. eom