Media touted anonymous sources and disguised Israeli analysts as neutral experts

Evidence

Much the most flamboyant use of suggestion originated in a small front-page item by Daniel B. Drooz in the Atlanta Constitution on November 8, alleging that the Palestine Liberation Organization was behind the embassy takeover. His sources were “diplomatic and European intelligence” authorities. George Ball stated gnomically in the Washington Post on December 9 that “there is some basis to believe that the whole operation is being orchestrated by well-trained Marxists.” On December 10, NBC’s Today Show ran an interview with Amos Perlemutter and Hasi Carmel, identified principally as “a professor at American University” and “a correspondent for the Paris weekly L’Express.” In fact both men are Israelis. — Edward W. Said, Covering Islam, 236

Categorization

• XREF: Parallels Milgrom’s Law Merchant material on how information intermediaries shape trust — here anonymous sourcing functions as a manufactured reputation system. — connects to: Pro-Zionist think tanks form the institutional base disseminating negative Middle East media
• QUESTION: Worth investigating whether the practice of presenting Israeli analysts without disclosing nationality persisted or intensified in later Iran-hostage and Iraq coverage.