Media Censorship in the Military - Assignment Example

Media Censorship in the Military Introduction Military censorship of the media has been a topic of discussion over the past few years especially on the subject of wars and whether it is acceptable practice has been a topic of controversy amongst those with interest. This kind of censorship can be described as the control of information that the media is able to provide to the public by the military (Roger 99). It is done through the passing of laws by the government giving groups such as the military the power to determine what information (if any at all) is provided to the public. Those who dare to cross these censorship laws face a serious threat of judicial persecutionand could be jailed for their actions by the governments who impose these laws. Thomas David argues that practices such as military censorship should not be present in any democratic country and a public has the right to know the truth regarding the wars they are involved in (Thomas 342). Though his advocating for the truth is admirable, scenarios in war are not always black and white and the multiple grey areas raise questions on whether an inhibited source of information is really practical in times of war. The public plays a large role in the support that is offered to the government and the military during times of war and the maintenance of this support plays a crucial role in the success of the sides that are involved (Lankford 108). The media on the other hand is mainly interested in the passing on of information whether negative or positive and in this manner, are not directly concerned with the overall repercussions that the stories they publish may bring about. As unfair as it may seem, a close look on the issues involved in war and public relations reveals that a certain level of censorship will in fact be required for the sake of national security (Thomas 341) This is an argument that has been used by the government and dismissed by those opposed to the practice as a petty excuse. However, it can be argued that the media is not capable of censoring themselves and as such an external body needs to take over the task (Kekla 81). The uninhibited flow of information could be a dangerous tool in today’s society where public society has a major influence on government matters through public opinion. It should also be noted that the public will not always be privy to all the information available regarding ones and thus could hold a one sided view of matters that rely on the information afforded to them by the media. The Need for Media Censorship The government censors the information available to the public in a number of ways. These include the outright censorship of sensitive information, the spread of propaganda as well as misinformation to the public (Thomas 343). The last two (propaganda and misinformation) may not be acceptable practices in all matters of war but the outright censorship of certain data may be essential in terms of maintaining an advantage over the opposing faction during war. The spread of information such as battle plans and military movements need to be kept secret to enhance chances of success. The information provided by the media is available on a global scale and is not only available to the citizens of a particular country. The divulging of sensitive information could thus prove dangerous and puts the lives of soldiers on the battlefield in danger. The media also thrives on the enhancement of their audience and to this purpose the main aim for most publications focus on providing attractive news no matter its nature (Lankford 112). This is to say that the media would not necessarily focus on whether the information they have publicized could be harmful to the government’s endeavors abroad but instead concentrates on issues such as the size of the audience they will be able to attract with a story (Chli 48). This disregard not only puts life at risk but does in fact prove to be a matter of national security as in some cases losing a war holds ramifications for the country as a whole. The global image of a government is also a factor that has to be considered as negative news stories not only affects the public’s opinion of their activities but affects the view of the rest of the world as well (Roger 117). Enhancing such negative views on a global scale could affect international relationships which again would affect the country as whole with regard to elements such as trade and other conjoining factors. The revelation of sensitive information could lead to an unstable government which would be another element that holds a negative national effect. The lack of public support that undermined the Vietnam War also brought an end to the Johnson administration (Thomas 342). Though individuals may look upon such results as appropriate, the weakening of an administration in the eyes of the public downplays the stability of a country’s regime which has a role in the overall success of national endeavors. The need for a stable and unified front should not be undermined by the acts of those more involved in their profession than with a concern for national progress (Chli 43). Admittedly, activities such as the spread of misinformation may not be an acceptable activity as earlier mentioned but a compromise will need to be reached between the parties involved so as to establish a steady relationship between the government and its people. Conclusion Though the arguments held by Thomas David seem palpable, a closer observation of the facts reveals a number of flaws that will need to be addressed for the sake of national concerns. An overhaul of the censorship activities that have been put in place by the government could result in weakening the military’s capabilities in times of war (Kekla 76). The relationship between issues such as free speech and the right to know what is going on in a country should not undermine the strength of military progress as this is an important element to any country. The need for a working relationship between the government and the media will go a long way in improving the relationship between a regime and its citizens, especially in matters such as public support. Works Cited Chli, Mark. “The invisible scissors media freedom and censorship in Switzerland”. New York: Peter Lang, 2010, Print. Kekla, Maggon. “Media Censorship.” Edina, Minn: ABDO Pub. Co., 2010. Print. Lankford, Ronald D. “Censorship.” Detroit: Green Haven, 2010, Print. Roger, Thomas. “Media & censorship.” Oxford: Heinamann Library, 2001. Print. Thomas, David. “Games the Military Play.” The Prentice Hall Guide for College Writers 4th Edition Ed. Stephen Reid Upper Saddle River, 1998. Print. 341 – 44 Read More