The military and the press

[Ishmael]

I think the military has made one of the wisest and most strategic decision in regards to its realtionship to the press. Instead of having name brand prima donnas hanging around the headquarters, reporting on and filling their reporting (commentaries) with 'Monday morning quarterback observations', they have put the reporters with the units on the advance. Like Ernie Pyle, the reporters are living, eating, and experiencing the fears and observing the professionalism of the soldiers actually doing the job.

There is a noticable difference in the tenor and tone of the reporting of this was as opposed to anything we've seen since WWII.

It is also signal that none of the prima donnas are not with the front line troops. They are safely behind the lines if even 'in country'. And more than likely frustrated by the film footage and commentary by the reporters actually on the scene.

It's my guess that this is going to have long term consequences with regard to the relationship between the press and the military. Good consequences at that.

It is also interesting to note that even though we don't know exactly where these reporters are actually located in the country, or what the unit they've been assigned to missions are. They have universally reported that each of the units are moving with purpose and dedication. This indicates a highly coordinated effort and is a testament to the advances in miltary technology fielded by the US over the last 12 years.

Seeing the elephant has a profound effect on your outlook.

Ishmael

 

[sufisaint]

The one question that comes to mind for me is I have yet to see one fire fight..even one casualty in the national coverage...I think its still getting edited for a favorable impression which even though I support this action still worries me, I do not like to be spinnned even if I do agreein the underlying matter...

 

[HeavyStick]

When the press is responsible, yes it can be a wonderful asset.

Today for example, a couple of armored vehicle were hit by RPG's. The reporter there said the Americans were dead before seeing the bodies. Come to find out the soldiers, all 4, we slightly injured and able to move around.

Friday, Tom "Cocksucker" Brokaw, was speaking to a mother of one of the Marines that died in the helo crash. He strarted off very respectfully then grilled the Mom. Saying along the lines, "Tell us about your son....America deserves.. you owe it to America to tell us about him." The Mom stayed very composed she answered in a low tone and kept it very brief. Then Tom decided to prove how fucking stupid he was by saying, "Tell us about the sisters he left behind." Mom, "He doesn't have any sisters.

Then when Tom wanted to end the interview, Mom laid into him, "On behalf of all the mothers in America it is the media that makes this such a painful process, you show us pictures of the faces of young men and with no regard show a horrific accident or report some bad news. Everytime you do, you tear a Mother, a wife and a sister's heart out because she doesn't know how their loved one is. We just remember the last stinging comments."

IMHO, the press/media can report whatever they want. They should act as if it was their loved ones they were following.

Fuck Tom Brokaw.

Besides that good thread, ISH

 

[ma_guy]

The item lost with this type of coverage is the "big picture". So far there has been a lack of overall "here is where we are" type of reporting. I've yet to see a map of what areas of Iraq are now under US control.

During Desert Storm we saw the forest and never noticed the trees. Now we are seeing the trees but the forest seems to be some nebulous "thing" out there that they can't quite pin down.

 

[Ishmael]

The one question that comes to mind for me is I have yet to see one fire fight..even one casualty in the national coverage...I think its still getting edited for a favorable impression which even though I support this action still worries me, I do not like to be spinnned even if I do agreein the underlying matter...

Last night there were two different reports form "on the scene". No footage of the actual fire fight. But the cameraman and reporter were there for the first aid of the prisoners.

If the reporters thought their corn was being shucked they'd let it be known.

Ishmael

 

[Problem Child]

They've already lost 4 or 5 reporters. That's a pretty high attrition rate for what...4 days fighting?

 

[Xstatic]

I have to agree with you there...

I can't say I've seen all that much (being in another timezone, and W/O access to cable), and I'm getting the irrits with the incessant 'recapping' that our anchors here insist on , but what I have seen of the reports 'from the field' ties in with what you've said.

However, I am a little perturbed at the details that do tend to be coming out. Admittedly, I have no idea whether what's coming out about future intentions is true, but as an example, I saw a piece yesterday (our time) saying something along the lines of 'The British will be coming up this way, while the US will be moving along this way (showing the paths on a map all this time)'

Wouldn't the Iraqi commanders LOVE that sort of detail? We can't say that they won't see it or hear of it - even someone calling a friend, who calls a friend, who calls another friend who happens to have a connection with Iraq could relay this data.

I don't know - I just have the feeling that revealing too much intelligence could turn around and bite severely. But then again, if we don't tell the press what is happening, they send out stories of 'cover-up'... catch-22

 

[Lasher]

I don't think you're going to see a fire fight on TV unless there is an ambush or something while someone is giving their report.

I don't think it's something we should see.

What really concerns me are the families of those doing the fighting.

Did anyone see on CNN the other night when the guy embedded with the 3-7th Cav was doing his report while they were flying across the desert and next thing ya know Aaron Brown has the wife of the commander of one of the squadrons from the 3-7th on the phone with him?

Do you really think it's a good idea for her to see her husband involved in a fire fight or a tank battle?

I'm impressed by what's being done, but there still has to be limits.

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

Does anyone know the makeup of the reporters in the field with the troops?

All Coalition? Or international? Honestly, as good an idea I think having reporters with the troops is, I would like to see reporters from the "doubter" nations...France excluded of course.

 

[Lasher]

Friday, Tom "Cocksucker" Brokaw, was speaking to a mother of one of the Marines that died in the helo crash. He strarted off very respectfully then grilled the Mom. Saying along the lines, "Tell us about your son....America deserves.. you owe it to America to tell us about him." The Mom stayed very composed she answered in a low tone and kept it very brief. Then Tom decided to prove how fucking stupid he was by saying, "Tell us about the sisters he left behind." Mom, "He doesn't have any sisters.

Paula Zahn had the parents of Major Aubin crying their fucking eyes out on the phone this morning.

 

[Problem Child]

Does anyone know the makeup of the reporters in the field with the troops?

All Coalition? Or international? Honestly, as good an idea I think having reporters with the troops is, I would like to see reporters from the "doubter" nations...France excluded of course.

All I've seen is American and British.

 

[Ishmael]

They've already lost 4 or 5 reporters. That's a pretty high attrition rate for what...4 days fighting?

Those were reporters not assigned to units. Freelancers so to speak.

One would think that after the Afghanistan lessons they would realize that the press is not well recieved. Waving that little press card doesn't buy you shit anymore.

Ishmael

 

[Ishmael]

All I've seen is American and British.

Like we're going to assign the French or Germans?

Spoils of war and all that.

Ishmael

 

[Bob_Bytchin]

What really concerns me are the families of those doing the fighting.

I agree with you here. I have many friends over there right now, and my wife could be sent at any time. I really don't want to see a friend, my wife, or anyone actually being killed on "highlights."

 

[ma_guy]

Does anyone know the makeup of the reporters in the field with the troops?

All Coalition? Or international? Honestly, as good an idea I think having reporters with the troops is, I would like to see reporters from the "doubter" nations...France excluded of course.

I've seen US, British, French, Belgian, Japanese and Aussie reporters mentioned thusfar...

 

[sufisaint]

I don't think you're going to see a fire fight on TV unless there is an ambush or something while someone is giving their report.

I don't think it's something we should see.

What really concerns me are the families of those doing the fighting.

Did anyone see on CNN the other night when the guy embedded with the 3-7th Cav was doing his report while they were flying across the desert and next thing ya know Aaron Brown has the wife of the commander of one of the squadrons from the 3-7th on the phone with him?

Do you really think it's a good idea for her to see her husband involved in a fire fight or a tank battle?

I'm impressed by what's being done, but there still has to be limits.

I can understand the anguish of the families...its a hard balance..but what i do worry about is sanatizing things which makes them untrue..war should never be seen as a hollywood movie or a video game...

 

[Lasher]

I agree with you here. I have many friends over there right now, and my wife could be sent at any time. I really don't want to see a friend, my wife, or anyone actually being killed on "highlights."

Aaron Brown offered to send her a tape - she said she'd had the VCR rolling all night so they're 2 year old son could some day see what his daddy did during the war.

You just hope the news people are fucking smart enough to cut away if something starts to happen.

 

[Xstatic]

Does anyone know the makeup of the reporters in the field with the troops?

All Coalition? Or international? Honestly, as good an idea I think having reporters with the troops is, I would like to see reporters from the "doubter" nations...France excluded of course.

It probably would be only Americans or British with the troops in the field - there would probably be all sorts of problems with taking in a 'foreign national'.

 

[Ishmael]

The item lost with this type of coverage is the "big picture". So far there has been a lack of overall "here is where we are" type of reporting. I've yet to see a map of what areas of Iraq are now under US control.

During Desert Storm we saw the forest and never noticed the trees. Now we are seeing the trees but the forest seems to be some nebulous "thing" out there that they can't quite pin down.

No one is entitled to the "big picture" until the battle is over. No one should expect to be entitled. At least no one that gives a shit about the lives of the men in uniform.

Ishmael

 

[kiwiwolf]

Anyone who ventures into a free fire zone is fair game. Reporters don't have some magical get out of jail free card... if anything they are a massive liability. They need babysitting and who the hell wants that job when you have incoming rounds to worry about?

 

[ma_guy]

No one is entitled to the "big picture" until the battle is over. No one should expect to be entitled. At least no one that gives a shit about the lives of the men in uniform.

No more and no less than anyone is entitled to the little picture being provided by these "embedded" reporters. As taxpayers and citzens we have just as much of a right to know the overall progress of the war as we do the accomplishments of individual units.

 

[kiwiwolf]

It probably would be only Americans or British with the troops in the field - there would probably be all sorts of problems with taking in a 'foreign national'.

One of ours is with a Marine company near Basra. He is a seasoned correspondent who also spent time in the NZ Army so at least he knows his way around.

 

[Lasher]

I can understand the anguish of the families...its a hard balance..but what i do worry about is sanatizing things which makes them untrue..war should never be seen as a hollywood movie or a video game...

It is.

To date it seems they've been very quick to release information on casualties and how they've occured as they happen. And they've given incredible access to the press. I almost feel it's been too much... But I reason it's being allowed since the Iraqi Army has no offensive capability.

I'll give an analogy here to illustrate where I think the line in coverage needs to be drawn.

Seeing the planes crashing into the World Trade Center was a pretty traumatic moment for everyone who saw it.

Now imagine if there had been cameras inside those buildings when that moment occured. Would you really have wanted to see the details of what happened inside?

 

[Problem Child]

How come I haven't seen any female reporters out riding into combat with the 7th Cav or the Marines?

Christiane Amanpour's balls aren't as big as I thought.

 

[Xstatic]

One of ours is with a Marine company near Basra. He is a seasoned correspondent who also spent time in the NZ Army so at least he knows his way around.

I stand corrected then - thanks Kiwiwolf