Taxpayer-Funded Propaganda? PBS to Feature Assad Interview With Rose

Charlie Rose has scored an exclusive interview with Syrian despot Bashar al-Assad. Excerpts of the interview ran on CBS’ morning show hosted by Rose, but the full interview will run exclusively on Rose’s PBS program Monday night.

Given the American government’s position on Assad, it is ironic that the interview with Rose, designed to sway public opinion in America and internationally, will be broadcast on publicly-funded television.

PBS’ Charlie Rose will interview Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday, September 9, at 9 p.m. in a special presentation of CHARLIE ROSE. In this global television exclusive, Assad gives his only television interview since President Barack Obama asked Congress to approve the use of force against the Syrian regime for alleged use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people.

This marks Assad’s first interview with an American television outlet in nearly two years. The interview was conducted on Sunday, September 8, at the Presidential Palace in Damascus.

The PBS broadcast will be the only place to view the interview in its entirety.

The Obama administration has called Assad a tyrant who is responsible for humanitarian atrocities including the use of chemical weapons against his own people. They have likened him to Sadam Hussein and Adolph Hitler. The president will be addressing the American Tuesday night to make the case for a military strike against Assad’s regime that is designed to weaken his grip on power. 

And yet Assad will have a chance to speak to the American people first with his carefully orchestrated appearance with Rose. And the American taxpayer is footing part of the bill, indirectly assisting Assad’s propaganda effort.