WASHINGTON (REUTERS) — The White House left open the possibility Thursday that its top political strategist might encourage Hollywood studio executives to tailor their storylines to help the United States in its war on terrorism.

Karl Rove, the Texan political strategist widely viewed as the architect of Bush’s presidential victory, plans to meet about 40 film and television studio chiefs in Beverly Hills Sunday to reach out to the entertainment industry.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters that Rove would brief executives from DreamWorks, HBO, Showtime, and other companies about the themes the government itself is emphasizing, including tolerance, courage, and patriotism.

Following the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington, which U.S. officials accuse Osama bin Laden of masterminding, the United States on Oct. 7 began bombing Afghanistan, which is believed to be sheltering the Saudi-born militant.

The United States has struggled to convey to Muslims around the world that it has no quarrel with Islam, and President Bush has called for tolerance at home after a series of attacks on people of Asian and Middle Eastern descent.

“The White House will share with the entertainment community the themes that are being communicated here and abroad: tolerance, courage, patriotism,” the spokesman said.

“Participants are likely going to discuss any future actions that could be undertaken by the entertainment industry,” he added.

Noting that many industries around the country had asked what they could do to help the war effort, Fleischer said one way Hollywood could contribute might be to produce public service announcements, known as PSAs.

Past PSAs have discouraged children from taking drugs and sought to dissuade people from driving drunk.

While saying it was up to Hollywood to decide the content of its movies and TV programs, when asked repeatedly Fleischer declined to rule out the possibility that the White House might seek to influence story lines.
“You have to let the people take place. I think many people in Hollywood have their own ideas about how to be helpful,” he said. “It’s important to hear what Hollywood has on its mind. These are judgments that Hollywood makes. These are their movies. These are their TV shows.”