Thatcher Government Censorship of British News Media in the Falkland IslandsCampaign: A Model for Future United States Military Employments

摘要

The British experience with censorship during the Falkland Islands Campaign canoffer a limited model for the U.S. government in remote, low intensity conflicts in locations where the news media in general war in Central Europe, for example, will be difficult if not impossible due to well established European and foreign media possessing an extensive communications capability already in-theater. However, the British experience is instructive for the United States concerning operational security, public opinion, disinformation and misinformation, government credibility and propaganda, and the need for good military-media relations. The study concludes by recommending the United States develop a plan to replace the Wartime Information Security Plan, which was rescinded in 1987.