Pentagon, Seeking Propaganda Advantage, Says It Will Give Press Better Battlefield Access

Source: New York Times, December 28, 2002 In each war and military action since losing in Vietnam, the US military has exerted increased control and censorship over battlefield reporting. Now the Pentagon claims to be changing its ways, in part to gain a propaganda advantage. According to the New York Times, "military officials said in interviews that limits on access to frontline units ... would be loosened if President Bush ordered military action. The Pentagon has made similar pledges of greater access before without making good on the promise. Even now, as the Pentagon completes plans to 'embed' correspondents, photographers and video crews within frontline units - and offering military training so journalists can maneuver safely with the troops - officials say it is premature to announce how many would be included, with which units or how close they would be to decisive operations. ... Several Pentagon officials lamented that the military had too often damaged its image by failing to engage the news media. The result, they said, is that the military has found itself surrendering the fight over world opinion to the propaganda of adversaries."