Government Use of Propaganda

Recent incidents raise concerns about whether Administration officials improperly used taxpayer funds to pay for efforts to influence public opinion.

Latest News

GAO Finds Federal Departments Spent More than $1.6 Billion in Media Contracts

Rep. Waxman, Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Miller, Rep. Cummings, and other senior Democratic leaders release a new Government Accountability Office study that identifies more than $1.6 billion in public relations and media spending by the Bush Administration over the last two and a half years.

Rep. Waxman Calls for an Investigation of U.S. Military Efforts to Influence Iraqi Media Coverage

In a letter to Chairman Davis, Rep. Waxman asks that the Committee investigate reports that the U.S. military is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to present positive images of the military and the U.S. mission in Iraq.

GAO Asked to Assess Costs of President’s Social Security Tour

Rep. Waxman asks GAO to assess the costs of the President's "60 Stops in 60 Days" tour and related Administration efforts to rally political support for his Social Security proposals.

HHS Questioned on Continued Use of Video News Releases

Reps. Waxman, Miller, and DeLauro write to HHS about a recent report that the agency continues to use prepackaged video news releases as part of the Department's public relations efforts.

SSA Altered Communications to Undermine Confidence

A new report released by Reps. Waxman and other senior members of Congress details how the Social Security Administration has systematically altered its public communications.

GAO Reminds Agencies of Covert Propaganda Ban

The Comptroller General writes to all executive branch agency heads to advise them of the restrictions on spending for "publicity and propaganda," specifically noting the GAO's finding that some prepackaged news stories are illegal covert propaganda.

President Urged to Order Disclosure of Covert Propaganda

The House Democratic leadership and ranking Democratic members ask the President to direct the release of all contracts for secret publicity campaigns to promote administration policies.

Public Relations Spending Has Doubled under the Bush Administration

A new report finds that the Bush Administration spent a record $88 million on government-funded public relations contracts in 2004, a 128% increase since 2000.

Members Raise Questions about SSA Documents

Democratic Leader Pelosi, Democratic Whip Hoyer, Rep. Waxman, Rep. Obey, Rep. Rangel, Rep. George Miller, Rep. Levin, and Rep. DeLauro raise concerns that the Social Security Administration’s 2005 communications plan could violate the prohibition on publicity and propaganda by promoting the message that Social Security is facing a collapse.

GAO Asked to Investigate Administration's Use of Covert Propaganda

In light of recent incidents in which taxpayer funds have been improperly used to influence public opinion, Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, and six other senior members of Congress ask GAO to examine the use of covert propaganda by departments and agencies under the Bush Administration.

Lawmakers Call on President to Renounce Use of Covert Propaganda

Democratic Leader Pelosi, Rep. Waxman, Rep. George Miller, Rep. Obey, and Rep. Cummings write the President about three recent incidents in which taxpayer funds have been improperly used by Administration officials to pay for covert efforts to influence public opinion.

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