Press Pools

Department of Defense National Media Pool

Central to conflicts over the Department of Defense (DoD) National Media Pool has been the dilemma of balancing demands of a free press with needs for secrecy and security during times of war.

Press pools were first widely used during World War II. While reporters were mostly permitted to travel freely, many of their reports were subject to military review and censorship. After the Vietnam War, the Pentagon sought new ways to control transmission of information by reporters during military conflicts. During the 1980s, concerned by advances in technology and transportation that hindered attempts at censorship, military officials attempted an “exclusionary model,” which prevented a journalistic presence during military operations. The DoD National Media Pool was created in 1987 after conflicts over the handling of journalists during the 1983 U.S. invasion of the island of Grenada.

The DoD press pool was originally marketed to journalists as a means of increasing their direct access to military personnel and activities while also offering a greater measure of protection for journalists on the battlefield. The pool was composed of journalists from several news organizations, including news agencies, magazines, newspapers, and television and radio outlets, with membership rotating every three months. By limiting the number of journalists with access, the military could better control the flow of information. Secrecy was considered paramount with the Pentagon pool. Only bureau chiefs and the pool members themselves were to know which news organizations were part of the pool. Pool members were required to keep their status and any details about their missions a secret from co-workers and even family members. Pool reports were also often filtered through military officials before being sent back to the pool members' news organizations.

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