‘Global Hit:’ Interrogation Music

A so-called "Torture Playlist" is in the March issue of "Mother Jones" magazine. The list was reportedly culled from a leaked interrogation log, accounts of soldiers and detainees, and news reports.

Journalist David Peisner wrote a story for "Spin" magazine titled "War Is Loud." It dealt with the use of music during interrogations. Peisner wrote it in 2006.

The idea is that by using music — often loud music — interrogators can disorient detainees. The practice has a history. Peisner says Israeli interrogators have used it. And the Brits forced IRA detainees to listen to loud music and white noise.

The Army Field Manual — which was updated last month — states that interrogators can use environmental manipulation to prolong the shock of capture, and get more cooperation from detainees. But it never said anything about music or specifically about soldiers choosing their own songs.

So how much loud music is being force-played to detainees today?

Journalist David Peisner says it’s hard to say. He believes that these kind of practices have probably abated since 2006 when new limits on interrogations were ushered in. But Peisner says when it comes to the practices of US intelligence services, all bets are off.

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