Firstly, let me introduce myself. I'm a college senior attending a university in Florida, USA. I am going to law school next year- so big surprise- I enjoy a good debate. I am also going into the military, in the JAG program.
I have never blogged before but, something tells me I'll at least interest a few of you.
My first Blog centers around Journalistic integrity in the midst of military conflict.
As a Mass Media Studies Major this is something I visit often and, as a future officer in the US Military, it is something I constantly struggle with.
Right now, the only way for a journalist to cover the "war" (it's really a conflict people) is to be embedded with a unit. This sounds o.k. right? Well there are several problems with this.
1) The Journalists are exposed to information vital to Americans' understanding of the war but, the release of that information is censored (as past of the contract the journalists sign).
2) The journalists can only go where the unit goes, and have to leave when the unit leaves.
3) Incidents such as "friendly fire" are readily observed by embedded journalists but, again CENSORSHIP (which denies the family justice [sometimes]).
4) The Journalists form a bond with the unit and are more likely to not print the "whole truth"; i.e. they feel a need to protect the unit (through cognitive dissonance)- therefore the cardinal rule of journalism- to report the truth (necessary to for self governance- is then impaired)
-And, it is the editors job to determine what the citizens of america should see in their paper for self governance- NOT THE GOVERNMENT (get it?)
Also, those journalists who venture outside of the protected areas for embeded journalists are at a higher risk of death. But, the economy is such (internet is taking over- we need less journalists, and lay offs via. bad economy [via the war]) that journalists NEED to turn out amazing and interesting stories in order to keep their jobs...
we've come to the point in America where Journalists must risk their LIVES to keep their jobs.
I have to go to class now but, my next posts will center around American policy considering journalists' rights in previous wars- and how the absence of WWII style propaganda has affected these rights.
Thanks for reading! And, I would love to hear what you have to say- again I'm ready for a debate.....
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