Abu Ghraib Prison Propaganda

How well did the Administration handle the propaganda campaign built around Abu Ghraib?

In April 2004 the Bush administration performed a belly flop in response to the news story by 60 Minutes which showed photographs of US Soldiers humiliating Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Ghraib prison. President Bush responded to the story by condemning the acts in the photos and said that what was depicted in the photos was neither widespread nor acceptable in the US military. Other incriminating, self-defeating actions taken by the Administration include the removal of 17 soldiers from the prison and the public court marshalling of 12 soldiers and releasing thousands of prisoners from Abu Ghraib prison. The administration failed miserably in handling the propaganda tactics mounted against it in the wake of the scandal by providing incriminating statements, explanations and promises of investigations.

The media took aim at Rumsfeld after his un-thoughtful apology where he admitted responsibility for the actions in the photos. Many called for his resignation. Further, the firestorm that ensued after his congressional address added fuel to the already hotly debated topic of torture. Instead of handling this crisis at the lowest level possible, a practice espoused throughout the US military, Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld elevated the event to the attention of international media, providing fodder for future stories and articles condemning the actions as well as the administration, the Army and the nation.

What was the result of the Administration’s inept public relations- more attacks on the administration, the Army and the nation mounted by Al-Qaeda, the Democratic Party, foreign nations, and US citizens confounded by the seemingly obvious crimes committed by those who swore to uphold constitutional freedoms. The result of the mismanagement was simply a weaker administration, a more disabled military, and a shameful national population. Further, military commanders now not only must deal with the attacks from the enemy abroad, they must deal with the enemy at home. While perhaps an understatement, the Bush administration performed poorly in its response to the propaganda campaign built around Abu Ghraib.