14 chapters across the catalog
Ukraine's Commissioner for Human Rights, Lyudmila Denisova, was removed from her post after making graphic and unverified claims about Russian soldiers using rape as a weapon. The hosts compare these allegations to the 2011 propaganda used against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, which included false claims about soldiers being distributed Viagra to facilitate systematic rape.
A new video released by ISIS depicts the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians on a beach in Libya. Analysis of the footage suggests high production values, including the use of jib shots and multiple camera angles, leading to questions about the authenticity and location of the filming. Observers noted visual anomalies, such as the unusual height of the executioners compared to the prisoners, suggesting the use of cinematic propaganda techniques to project power.
A retrospective look at the 2011 Libyan conflict recalls claims that Muammar Qaddafi provided soldiers with Viagra to facilitate mass rapes. This narrative is characterized as a propaganda gimmick used to secure UN Resolution 1973. Such stories are criticized for being easily rebutted and damaging the credibility of official reports.
The current media narrative regarding Syria is compared to previous "scripts" used during the conflicts in Iraq and Libya. The hosts discuss how rumors of asylum and chemical threats are recycled to justify military intervention. They also touch upon the domestic use of chemical agents, such as pepper spray against protesters in the United States, contrasting it with the international outrage over Syrian stockpiles.
NATO Bombing Campaign and Civilian Protection Mandate
NATO spokespeople maintain that the bombing campaign in Libya is strictly for the protection of civilians under a UN mandate. Despite thousands of sorties, the hosts note a lack of video evidence showing the actual impact of the bombings. They criticize the use of "human shield" rhetoric to justify strikes on mosques, schools, and hospitals.
Hillary Clinton in Jamaica, Libya Rape Allegations
Hillary Clinton visited Jamaica while continuing to push the administration's narrative on Libya. The hosts criticize the use of unproven allegations regarding state-sponsored rape as a weapon of war, comparing Clinton's "whose side are you on" rhetoric to that of the Bush administration.
A debate on the BBC featured a representative from Russia Today and a journalist from The Times of London discussing the NATO intervention in Libya. The Times journalist characterized RT as a state propaganda channel, while the RT representative countered that the BBC is similarly funded by the British state. The exchange highlights the conflicting narratives regarding Muammar Gaddafi's government and NATO's military intentions.
Sadiq Belhach BBC Segment, Sound Effects in War Reporting
The BBC's profile of rebel fighter Sadiq Belhach is scrutinized for its use of canned sound effects that resemble video games or Hollywood movies. Despite the reporter's claims of being on a "very active front line," the footage shows no actual combat, only rebels firing into the air and burning a mattress. The segment concludes that the report is a "ridiculously produced" piece of propaganda intended to justify the war for oil interests.
CNN Misrata Rocket Attack Coverage, Emotional Propaganda
CNN and anchor Don Lemon are criticized for using the story of a five-year-old girl injured in a Misrata rocket attack to generate emotional support for the Libyan intervention. The hosts characterize the reporting as a PR tactic to distract from the lack of evidence regarding state-sponsored atrocities.
Libya Rape Allegations, Michelle Faul, and AP Credibility
Reports claiming Muammar Gaddafi's troops are using Viagra to commit mass rapes are scrutinized for potential propaganda similarities to the 1990 incubator baby story. The source of the data, a survey by Dr. Siham Serjawah reported by Michelle Faul of the Associated Press, is questioned due to the high response rate and the difficulty in verifying the identities of the doctor and reporter.
UN Ambassador Susan Rice reportedly told diplomats that Muammar Gaddafi was issuing Viagra to his troops to facilitate mass rapes. The hosts dismiss these claims as over-the-top war propaganda designed to vilify the Libyan leader. They compare the allegations to historical propaganda used to justify military intervention.
The hosts analyze coverage from Russia Today (RT) featuring Susan Lindauer, a former U.S. intelligence asset with a focus on Libya. Lindauer claims the current conflict is rooted in Gaddafi's demand for reimbursement of the $2.7 billion paid to families of the Pan Am 103 Lockerbie bombing victims, asserting that Libya was wrongfully blamed for the attack.
The hosts deconstruct a news report claiming that footage of rocket attacks was obtained from a cell phone dropped by a Gaddafi soldier. They dismiss the story as a fabrication used to justify the use of unverified B-roll footage in the absence of actual combat recordings.
