The Role of Media Coverage in Meeting Operational Objectives

Abstract

Operational commanders can influence the stability of operational objectives and the availability of resources to meet those objectives by using well-orchestrated media coverage to describe the goals, strategies, event and outcomes of campaigns and major operations. The media performs the essential role of bridging the gap between the general public's knowledge and insight into the activities occurring throughout a major operation or campaign. This paper looks at the strategies and outcomes of media coverage of three recent operations: Operation Desert Storm, Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It describes some of the motivations and concerns of the news media, and examines doctrine from the perspective of the media's requirements for information. Finally, recommendations are made to improve future media coverage of operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 16, 2003
Accession Number
ADA420295

Entities

People

  • Mary Jane Mitchell-musumarra

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Broadcasting
  • Department Of Defense
  • Doctrine
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Operations
  • Motivation
  • Psychological Operations
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • International Journalism and Media Studies.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.