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Britain’s sports stars at the service of war propaganda



[propaganda alert]

compiled by Cem Ertür

11 November 2011





"I have nothing but admiration for these young men and women and it makes me very proud to be British. I've wanted to visit Afghanistan for a long time and I hope that in some small way it helps remind everyone at home what an amazing job they are doing out here in very difficult conditions. I feel very humble."

[British football star David Beckham’s remarks prior to his departure to Afghanistan, May 2010] (*)





(*) David Beckham flies to Afghanistan

by Richard Edwards, Daily Telegraph, 22 May 2010

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7750604/David-Beckham-flies-to-Afghanistan.html


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The [British] Army is urging the public to show its support for soldiers through a TV campaign and website that showcase the contribution they make to society and the positive effect of military intervention globally. [...] The [army recruitment] campaign coincides with the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq [in 2003] [1]

“To the Best” campaign [is] supported by such celebrities as Jonny Wilkinson, the England rugby player. It is the [British] army's first interactive recruitment campaign, with the public encouraged to show their support for British troops on a website. It includes short videos of civilians in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, and the UK, who praise British soldiers for their help and, in some cases, for saving lives. [2]




[1] Army campaign drives public to web to show soldiers support

by Gemma Charles, Marketing, 18 March 2008

 http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/793805/Army-campaign-drives-public-web-show-soldiers-support/



[2] Army launches recruitment drive as polls highlight soldiers' popularity

by Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian, 18 March 2008

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/18/military


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related news:



David Cameron blasts 'outrageous' FIFA for 'absurd' poppy ban on England team

London Evening Standard, 9 November 2011

 http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24007761-david-cameron-blasts-outrageous-fifa-for-absurd-poppy-ban-on-england-team.do




Premier stiker in 9/11 probe

by Jerry Lawton, Daily Star, 15 September 2011

 http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/211048


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