Should media be entrenched with US soldiers in the middle east?

Question

Which is more important, the safety of soldiers and the effectiveness of their operations - or to keep the American people informed?

Please answer regardless of whether you think we should be in Iraq or not. The point is our American soldiers are there.

Answer 1

The overall masses have no idea and dont want to know the truths that are going on around the world. People have a hard time seeing anything outside their common everyday knowledge in totality so they generalize using incomplete assesments. We get complacent on getting up, drinking our coffee, going to work coming home and sitting on a couch watching the latest reality show. It is uncomprehensable to them that all it takes is one group or even a person to take that all away from us. Media is a business and to grow a business you must give what is wanted not the mondain details that fill in the reality. People just dont have time to study and learn the ever changing realities in the world. So no Media should leave the govt and military to do their job. It would be better for them and the people. If the media would have been around as much during WWI and WWII we probably would have lost them too. Could you imagine a tv camera at omaha beach on dday.

War is hell. PR isnt much better. Pres Harry S Truman

Answer 2

NO.

While in Iraq, we were at an ECP when artillery began falling on us. We took cover and waited it out. there was a news camera there and they took cover as well.

During the attack, one round came in and we heard it falling, but never heard it hit. A few seconds later a Soldier fell over. The mortar hit the soldier and drove in from the neck, killing him. There were six of us in that shelter. It was sheer luck of odds to get to us, but even higher that it hit a Soldier. If it had not hit that Soldier, we all would have been dead.

The news personnel realized something happened and did EVERYTHING they could to try and get pictures. They even stooped to asking a soldier to take a snap shot. the F uckers. It's all they could talk about. No remorse, no silent moment, NOTHING.

The press is heartless. The press has it's own agenda and they only support the liberals because their views paralell at points. The press needs to be stomped on like a dying roach.

Answer 3

The media can 'embed' with a US military unit any time they want to (in fact the military encourages this). The reporters are given guidelines of what they can and cannot send (for example, names of casualties cannot be released until the military has had a chance to notify the family).

The biggest protection is that the reporters own life depends on his not giving away information that would be useful to the enemy. Reporters are not totally stupid and want to stay alive also.

Unfortunately, the news media finds it less expensive to have a 'talking head' in the Green Zone read scripts written in New York - and present this as 'news.'

Answer 4

The safety of soldiers and of whoever may be unlucky enough to be holding a camera instead of a firearm during any kind of combat.

I think its a bad decision in all ways...I mean first off, the media is liberal and it gets to pick and choose what images/videos it would like to show and its never depicting of anything good. It never shows that we've built hospitals, schools, etc...it only shows the suffering, only b/c its liberal and it gives other liberals something to run their mouths about. And for the safety reason...

Answer 5

The Iraq warfare hasn't ever been justified, by technique of/to any certain reason that would want to warrant such an act. - except it became the lengthy time period time table of those operating the Bush administration like a puppet teach. (those who seek for to confirm the hot international Order.) A. Oil is now being constrained to us by technique of the Saudis B. Blackwater, Hallaberton etc have very much profited. C. Our economic equipment has been pushed down, not up. D. huge violence did not initiate till the U.S. invasion. E. we had to get Osama, not Saddam. F. there have been no WMD in Iraq. G. nicely perfect. H & I. you quite can't blame those who were instilled with concern by technique of the Bush administration. the in basic terms new international order i'm interested in, is that of order and team spirit between u . s . a . who proceed to be a range. Peace. by technique of how, we are not a lot of a democracy anymore. seem up the be conscious "Facism."

Answer 6

The problem is that the media so often has an agenda. They can essentially spin the events any way they want. This is a powerful political tool for which the media should not be used. Ideally, the media would be impartial. But it is difficult for anyone to be truly impartial really.

Answer 7

Media should be allowed access to interview individuals, but they should not be allowed access to future or in progress operations as they have given vital information away again and again. I always think of the '72 Olympic terrorist situation. The terrorist were able to combat government operations as the media was giving them live footage of what was going on outside. I think we should assume our enemies are smart enough to watch tv.

Answer 8

Depends on the reporter...I have personally guarded some of them in Afghanistan...They can put you in danger very quickly by trying to get their story...But on the other hand it lets the American people see war at its worst....I dont know the real answer

Answer 9

Mike Wallace. Journalist First... American Second. Nothing more needs to be said.

Answer 10

Only if they agree to carry a gun and use it when necessary to defend American and coalition forces.

Not agreeing to the above condition should disqualify them.

They should also be allowed to film and document anything they see.