Return-Path: <sentto-279987-3306-1003849573-fc=all.net@returns.onelist.com> Delivered-To: fc@all.net Received: from 204.181.12.215 [204.181.12.215] by localhost with POP3 (fetchmail-5.7.4) for fc@localhost (single-drop); Tue, 23 Oct 2001 08:07:08 -0700 (PDT) Received: (qmail 19373 invoked by uid 510); 23 Oct 2001 15:05:42 -0000 Received: from n25.groups.yahoo.com (216.115.96.75) by 204.181.12.215 with SMTP; 23 Oct 2001 15:05:42 -0000 X-eGroups-Return: sentto-279987-3306-1003849573-fc=all.net@returns.onelist.com Received: from [10.1.1.223] by n25.groups.yahoo.com with NNFMP; 23 Oct 2001 15:06:11 -0000 X-Sender: fc@red.all.net X-Apparently-To: iwar@onelist.com Received: (EGP: mail-8_0_0_1); 23 Oct 2001 15:06:13 -0000 Received: (qmail 70314 invoked from network); 23 Oct 2001 15:06:13 -0000 Received: from unknown (10.1.10.142) by 10.1.1.223 with QMQP; 23 Oct 2001 15:06:13 -0000 Received: from unknown (HELO red.all.net) (65.0.156.78) by mta3 with SMTP; 23 Oct 2001 15:06:12 -0000 Received: (from fc@localhost) by red.all.net (8.11.2/8.11.2) id f9NF6Yj20888 for iwar@onelist.com; Tue, 23 Oct 2001 08:06:34 -0700 Message-Id: <200110231506.f9NF6Yj20888@red.all.net> To: iwar@onelist.com (Information Warfare Mailing List) Organization: I'm not allowed to say X-Mailer: don't even ask X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.5 PL3] From: Fred Cohen <fc@all.net> X-Yahoo-Profile: fcallnet Mailing-List: list iwar@yahoogroups.com; contact iwar-owner@yahoogroups.com Delivered-To: mailing list iwar@yahoogroups.com Precedence: bulk List-Unsubscribe: <mailto:iwar-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com> Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 08:06:34 -0700 (PDT) Reply-To: iwar@yahoogroups.com Subject: [iwar] [fc:Pentagon.Calls.For.Sensible.Press] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Washington Times October 23, 2001 Pentagon Calls For Sensible Press By Jennifer Harper, The Washington Times Is there a fair and constructive medium between the persistent press and the security-conscious Pentagon? Their relationship has become adversarial as reporters try to tease out stories from cautious spokesmen on a war that is not "sequential." This is not a made-for-TV conflict with talking points. "The old model won't work," said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld yesterday, suggesting press and Pentagon could cobble together a reasonable new modus operandi for covering the war in Afghanistan that "made sense." Mr. Rumsfeld assured reporters he would "give as much information as safely possible." He reaffirmed their role in a free world, addressed a question about his own credibility and explained why it would not be prudent for journalists to parachute in with special forces. Though last Friday's scattered press reports on ground operations ultimately did not jeopardize anyone, Mr. Rumsfeld was plenty irked that a source at the Pentagon had leaked classified material. "It floors me that anyone would be willing to do that," he said. "It's terrible, terrible. I can't imagine people being that irresponsible." Things are getting tense. Even as CNN and other networks vie for scoops through unorthodox means, White House and DOD officials have cautioned the media that instant information gratification is not possible. They suggest journalists use discretion or inadvertently risk aiding media-savvy terrorists. The requests have not sat well with the media, though the military has placed some 40 journalists on Navy ships or Air Force humanitarian flights. It is not enough, say journalists who believe official spin is encroaching upon press freedoms. In recent weeks, 26 press organizations released a joint statement to "express our concern over the increasing restrictions by the U.S. government that limit news gathering and inhibit the free flow of information." Some journalists hinted at censorship or claimed that an "inexperienced" administration forced them to pick between the First Amendment and their own patriotism. Press restraints inspire journalists to "subvert the process and find a way around the blockades of information," said Ronald Yates of the University of Illinois' Department of Journalism. Such is the nature of the beast. Media and military have had trying moments since the Civil War, according to Roy Clark of the Poynter Institute. There were halcyon, cooperative days between the two during World War II, and lean years during the Gulf War and conflicts that followed. "The same patterns and rhythms return: The press never has enough access and the military fears too much of it," he said. "But the press loses its credibility if it demands 100 percent access. In turn, the military loses their credibility if they cut the press out of everything." There is no easy solution. But Mr. Clark's suggestions echo Mr. Rumsfeld's plea that press and military work together. "Self-censoring sensitive information is an important part of covering a war, as is reassuring and informing those on the home front," Mr. Clark said. "But there are still those who make false steps to advance the story an inch, and there's that bottomless pit of the 24-hour news cycle to receive it." "Though we don't like the word 'propaganda,' I am in favor of the press playing a role in a form of truthful propaganda for a while," Mr. Clark said. "That way, they could create a good platform and a good case to argue for increased access." ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Pinpoint the right security solution for your company- Learn how to add 128- bit encryption and to authenticate your web site with VeriSign's FREE guide! http://us.click.yahoo.com/yQix2C/33_CAA/yigFAA/kgFolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ------------------ http://all.net/ Your use of Yahoo! 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This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : 2001-12-31 20:59:56 PST