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Media Relations, Military

The necessity, if not obligation, of the American military to inform the American public and Congress of its missions and policies and of the news media to respond with approval or criticism has been a feature of U.S. democracy from the beginning. If the process has posed problems at times, it has generally been mutually beneficial. This entry examines news media-U.S. government relations from the Vietnam War to the present.

Tensions Between the U.S. Government and the Media

Communication between the two sides has been particularly difficult since the end of the Vietnam War. The United States began that conflict with a largely compliant press and a public affairs program that upheld military security without violating the rights of reporters. Between 1965 and 1968, reporters often criticized ...

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