even though they had no idea at the time. This is great!! CNN, which had been alerted to expect a major news development, reported that the long-awaited offensive to retake the Iraqi city of Fallujah had begun. In fact, the Fallujah offensive would not kick off for another three weeks. Gilbert's carefully worded announcement was an elaborate psychological operation -- or "psy-op" -- intended to dupe insurgents in Fallujah and allow U.S. commanders to see how guerrillas would react when they believed U.S. troops were entering the city, according to several Pentagon officials. CNN Duped
This is great...we've found a way to use the media's overzealousness and reckless reporting to our advantage. What a bunch of tools (literally). :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:
No big deal, CNN will get over it and not be so damn gullible next time. This keeps the media on their toes and not too quick to go off half-cocked. This is a good thing and will also help to keep media from tipping a real operation prematurely. The military has a legitimate need to use information in warfare and the US would be foolish not to take advantage of our edge in media production and global coverage. "Although both [public affairs] and [military information operations] conduct planning, message development and media analysis, the efforts differ with respect to audience, scope and intent, and must remain separate." -- Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a letter to top military officials
