"Washington’s robust market for attacks, half-truths; A look inside an industry of distortion, where unnamed corporations pay richly to bend the debate their way" by Michael Kranish | Globe Staff, May 19, 2013
WASHINGTON — A case study of what critics say is an industry of distortion in Washington. Increasingly, groups are seeking to influence public policy not by the traditional methods of lobbying or campaign contributions, but, as in this case, by hurling accusations, true or not, that are intended to destroy an influential target’s credibility....
On a broader level, it is the story behind the ad that is most revealing — a story that provides a window into a world of questionable claims, powered by donations from unnamed corporations, and a Washington agenda with many millions of dollars at stake.
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Operation Mockingbird
Why Am I No Longer Reading the Newspaper?
Or following politics, for that matter.
The group behind the ad, the Center for Consumer Freedom, is headed by a Washington-based corporate communications consultant named Richard Berman, the head of Berman and Company, a public relations and government affairs firm.
The center’s funding includes large donations from corporations whose identity it does not disclose. But Berman and his associates have said in depositions and interviews that backers include food and farming corporations.
Some of those companies have been at odds with the Humane Society, which backs legislation in Congress and state legislatures to improve conditions for farm animals.
Related: Congress Cuts Food Stamps
An ad defending the cramped size of animal pens is, needless to say, hardly as attention-getting as one comparing the Humane Society president to Bernie Madoff.
Sarah Longwell, the vice president of Berman and Company, declined to take questions from the Globe, writing via e-mail that “no one here will be participating in your story.” Berman did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Washington, of course, is a city with many operatives who act for corporations seeking to shape public opinion about issues before Congress without leaving fingerprints and without having to directly associate their name and brand with the attacks made on their behalf.
Indeed, from the upper reaches of the Washington power structure on down, questionable or outright false statements have become a way of doing business.
Hyperbole and distortion are common, a carryover from the rhetorical free-for-all of political campaigns; the result is that there is much public confusion about the issues, about what is fact and what is merely an interested parties claim.
Gun control opponents say the government plans to take away guns.
Related: Sunday Globe Special: They Really Are Coming For Your Guns
Obamacare opponents say the government wants to take over health care.
Related: Filling Out the Obamacare Forms
What would you call it?
So-called “birthers” went after President Obama by suggesting he was not born in America despite indisputable evidence he was born in Hawaii....
That's a standard tactic: throw up a bogus conspiracy to tarnish the others.
Related: Obama the love child?
That's the real cover-up.
Misinformation has become so widespread that a counter-industry of fact checkers has emerged at various media outlets; The Washington Post rates misleading statements on the number of “Pinocchios,” while the Pulitzer-winning website PolitiFact gives the biggest whoppers a grade of “Pants on Fire.”
Yeah, the lying, distorting, and obfuscating media is going to check the facts for you.
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Also see: Sunday Globe Special: Congre$$ Calling
I'm not answering.
