Into the Future: the Falklands Factor

Abstract

Even before its conclusion, the Falklands campaign was overtaken in the media interest by the conflict in Lebanon. During June and July of 1982, access to the war in the Lebanon was only possible courtesy of the Israeli Army — a courtesy which appears to have been fully extended to bone fide reporters and observers at that time, although later on access was to be limited in certain respects.¹ An organisation staffed by Army personnel was set up to deal with correspondents: it apparently worked very well — the HCDC were told: ‘The most efficient military censorship known to the BBC is the Israeli system which, until recently, has operated in a way which suits both journalists and the requirements of military security.’²