Military-Media Relations: First Impressions of Operation Desert Shield

摘要

Military-media relations in Operation Desert Shield is analyzed by comparing howthe media has been handled in recent military operations to Desert Shield. Past operations are reviewed to discern if the military is learning from these experiences so that a healthier environment might be created for media coverage of the military. Military-media relations are reviewed in Operation Urgent Fury, the Kuwaiti reflagging operation, and Operation Just Cause. Lessons learned from those operations, in addition to the Sidle Panel, are extracted to examine their applicability to Operation Desert Shield. The military-media relationship that developed up to the termination of Operation Desert Shield is covered. In this regard, the military continues to make some of the same mistakes in dealing with the media, to include delaying media entry to the scene of the operation, lack of detailed planning regarding how to host the media during the operation, and a lack of regular briefings to keep the media aware of the progress of the operation. To solve these problems demands a close examination by DOD and each branch of service concerning their goals in media coverage of military operations. A process of educating the media must also be undertaken by the military.