Bush Administration Media Bill Tops $1.6 Billion, GAO Reports

A General Accounting Office (GAO) study has revealed that seven Cabinet-level federal agencies spent over $1.62 on advertising from 2003 to 2005.

In its investigation, the GAO audited the public relations and advertising expenditures of the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2003 through the second quarter of fiscal year 2005.

According to the report, the government “contracts with public relations firms, advertising agencies, media organizations, and individual members of the media to provide, among other things, messages about its programs and services.” In conducting its investigation, GAO cited the agencies for a lack of accurate information about their advertising contracts.

The GAO report, Media Contracts: Activities and Financial Obligations for Seven Federal Departments, GAO-06-305, is available online as follows:

Abstract
Highlights (.pdf)
Full Report (.pdf)
Accessible Text

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