U.S. Videos, for TV News, Come Under Scrutiny

[xper]

WASHINGTON — Federal investigators are scrutinizing television segments in which the Bush administration paid people to pose as journalists praising the benefits of the new Medicare law, which would be offered to help elderly Americans with the costs of their prescription medicines.

The videos are intended for use in local television news programs. Several include pictures of President Bush receiving a standing ovation from a crowd cheering as he signed the Medicare law on Dec. 8.

The materials were produced by the Department of Health and Human Services, which called them video news releases, but the source is not identified. Two videos end with the voice of a woman who says, "In Washington, I'm Karen Ryan reporting."

But the production company, Home Front Communications, said it had hired her to read a script prepared by the government.

Another video, intended for Hispanic audiences, shows a Bush administration official being interviewed in Spanish by a man who identifies himself as a reporter named Alberto Garcia.

Another segment shows a pharmacist talking to an elderly customer. The pharmacist says the new law "helps you better afford your medications," and the customer says, "It sounds like a good idea." Indeed, the pharmacist says, "A very good idea."

The government also prepared scripts that can be used by news anchors introducing what the administration describes as a made-for-television "story package."

In one script, the administration suggests that anchors use this language: "In December, President Bush signed into law the first-ever prescription drug benefit for people with Medicare. Since then, there have been a lot of questions about how the law will help older Americans and people with disabilities. Reporter Karen Ryan helps sort through the details."

The "reporter" then explains the benefits of the new law.

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[Datalore]

I'm definitely not voting for Bush- wait, I can't vote. But still, I hope Bush doesn't win.

[XtremeMaC]

anyone but bush. I don't want to see any wars anymore! we're in 21th century. wars should be over. every country is settled to its own place. no one should be trying to rule over another country or try to gain others land. try to make your country a better place to live, don't meddle with other countries.

bush did nothing but start stupid wars and all bombings in all countries could be related to it....!

bush family is known to start wars! NO to Bush's

[cazzman]

pff. bush.

sounds kinda like what there doing here, the forestry tasmanian ppl are paying there employees to go to a pro-forestry campaign. (everyone hates forestry tasmania, since there cutting down all our trees.)

[FthrJACK]

hates forestry tasmania, since there cutting down all our trees.

Destroying one of the most unique habitats on earth to make matches and paper is pretty sick.

[techguy21801]

well that being bad look at what all the other politicians it's just part of their games.

but i'm still voting for bush