the military-industrial-media complex

Once more on the theme of transparency, an extensive review in today’s Sunday Times about a retired general, turned lobbyist, turned favored media consultant for NBC News and talking head.  Gen. Barry McCaffrey, although arguing he is objective given his criticism of execution of policy in Iraq, nevertheless advocates, as this investigation demonstrates, views in line with his business interests

On NBC and in other public forums, General McCaffrey has consistently advocated wartime policies and spending priorities that are in line with his corporate interests. But those interests are not described to NBC’s viewers. He is held out as a dispassionate expert, not someone who helps companies win contracts related to the wars he discusses on television.