How Much Press Do You Need to Cover a War

摘要

There has been in the United States a traditional rivalry between the militaryand the media concerning press coverage of combat action. The proliferation of the media in the last few conflicts has sparked new DoD policies, but none dealing directly with limiting the aggregate numbers of journalists in proportion to the operation. The historical basis of the argument is presented, media views and concerns reviewed, and the operational commander's perspective covered to set the stage for recommended actions. Both the military and the media bear the burden for the optimum solution. They must appreciate the significance of the problem, recognize each other's professional responsibilities, and work together to get the right number of journalists to the right place to cover the war. Recommendations include: define stages to mirror the 'spectrum of conflict' which will in turn identify the type and amount of proportional press coverage; continue initial press pool arrangements with military guarantees of first action access, and transportation and communications support; retain accreditation as the only control once pools are disbanded; and solicit media executives to meet and determine limited, equitable representation, and appropriate rules. Military-Media, Press, Journalists.