Activity 22, What is the Role of Reporters in War?
POSITION A
When a nation goes to war, freedom of the press should be curtailed. Secrecy needs to be maintained or lives of American military forces will be at risk. After the war, the press and media can print or broadcast whatever it chooses to report, but during the war it must be subordinate to military needs. The press should only report information given by the United States government or proper military authorities. Anything else may harm America's ability to fight the war. All battlefield reports should be strictly controlled or censored. In general, the press should be supportive of the government and the miliary during the war.
POSITION B
The United States Constitution guarantees freedom of the press. It is such a precious right that it should not be curtailed or limited under any circumstances. While there are a few military matters that should not be published (movements of military forces, for instance), the press and electronic media should be able to publish everything else, even when it is critical of the government's or the military's handling of a particular situation. Too often the government and the military hide their mistakes behind a curtain of secrecy. The job of an independent and objective press is to seek out these mistakes and report them.
POSITION C
Newspapers and electronic media are businesses. Their main job is to sell news and boost advertising revenues. Editors and reporters have a responsibility to the owners or stockholders and should therefore do what is in their best financial interest. If a war or conflict is popular, it is best to support it because more newspapers will be sold, more people will tune into the broadcasts, and advertising revenues will increase. If the war is unpopular, it is best to criticize it as often as possible for the same reasons. It is never good to be too far ahead of public opinion.
POSITION D
Newspapers and the broadcast press often attack the American military and government during war. Correspondents think they know so much about the topics on which they report, but really the government and the military have much better sources of information. Democracies elect their leaders. During international conflicts it is best to give the benefit of doubt to our elected leaders and support them. News people who do not support our nation during times of conflict should be shut down.
POSITION E
Because the United States has a powerful military, there is a tendency among governmental leaders to use it in situations that do not require military force. Use of the military can generate strong patriotic feelings among Americans and therefore boost the support for governmental leaders. Likewise, going to war helps the economy and creates jobs. It is better to resolve international conflicts without the use of force. The role of the news media is to encourage the peaceful resolution of conflict, and hence prevent unnecessary conflict. If war begins, the role of the news media is to critically analyze and scrutinize the activities of the government and military. The news media should not be a propaganda arm of the U.S. government.
POSITION F
America is the strongest nation in the world. While it is nice to resolve conflict peacefully, occasionally it is necessary to threaten the use of military force to resolve important conflicts. When military force is needed, it is the responsibility of all Americans to support our men and women in uniform. Failure to do so may make it more difficult for America to win the war, and will place American lives in jeopardy. The role of the press is to support the war effort. If correspondents fail to support the war, they should be considered unpatriotic and traitors. They should be dealt with accordingly.
Return to Activity 22.
Go to the Contents page for International Conflict and the Media.
Go to the Bibliography.