Information Warfare: What If Today's Media Had Covered World War II?

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December1, 2006: Today's mass media is far more mean spirited, cynical, partisan and manipulative than was the case back in 1941-45. Actually, anyone unfamiliar with World War II history would believe that the following headlines are actually from American newspapers of the period. But those of you who do know your history, will catch the differences in attitude, and greater use of spin, between then and now.

NAVY, WHITE HOUSE LIED ABOUT BATTLESHIPS

5, Not 2, Sunk at Pearl Harbor

HUNDREDS OF SAILORS STILL TRAPPED UNDERWATER

Victims' Families: Pearl Rescue Efforts "Disgraceful"

FDR DUMPS MACARTHUR FOR CHURCHILL

"Writing Off" Philippines, Sources Say

SECRET PAYMENT TO MACARTHUR

$500,000 from Manila Bigwigs

MIDWAY VICTORY DUE TO BROKEN JAP CODES

The Chicago Tribune did actually print this story. Fortunately, the Japanese didn't see it. Tribune owner Robert McCormick was sternly told never to let this happen again, and it never did.

FDR PLANS NORTH AFRICA INVASION

Critics Charge "Stunt" To Help Dems in '42 Elections

NORMANDY "IDEAL" INVASION SITE

Military Experts Agree This Is Where We'll Land

NEVER HAD A CHANCE

German Tank Superiority Causes GI Morale Crisis

WHISTLEBLOWER REVEALS SUPERBOMB PLANS

Catholic Bishops Condemn Secret "Manhattan Project"

IKE ENRAGED

Monty to Be Fired in SHAEF Meltdown

British papers which did report, inaccurately, tensions between Ike and Monty, were stepped on hard by the British government.

"NO DEFENSE" AGAINST KAMIKAZES

Experts: Suicide Tactics May Be War-Winner - Fleet Demoralized

FDR WITH MISTRESS IN DEATH ROOM

Warm Springs Scandal - Old Flame Watches President Die
First Lady Outed As Lesbian

HITLER IN PARAGUAY

Soviets Have Proof Dictator Escaped Berlin

IWO JIMA FLAG RAISING "STAGED"

Bond Drive Collapses After Controversy

BURN BABY BURN

B-29 Crews Laugh, Take Photos as Thousands of Children Die

ATOM BOMB DROPPED TO COW SOVIETS

Sources Say Hiroshima Strike Had No Military Purpose

MACARTHUR-NIMITZ SURRENDER SHOWDOWN

Who Hosts Ceremony?

Whose Flag Flies Higher on Battleship's Mast?

The full and interesting story of the Chicago Tribune blowing the codebreakers is at http://www.newseum.org/warstories/essay/secrecy.htm. The actual headline was "NAVY HAD WORD OF JAP PLAN TO STRIKE AT SEA." Monty's near-firing by Ike, and its contemporary media misrepresentation, are discussed at length in General Omar Bradley's book "A General's Life."

 

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