Rules of Engagement: Media Coverage of Military Families During War

Abstract

Covering the military during wartime presents unique challenges to journalists, who are faced with writing about the battlefield and the national security implications of war as well as the individuals who are sent into combat. All the while, they must remain vigilant to provide clear, concise coverage while not repeating propaganda or falling prey to lies, distortions, and manipulations of the truth from a variety of sources—official, military, and community. Military families are part of the story, and they are affected by the story. News organizations must strive for impartiality, but to achieve it, they must know their subjects and their audiences, an understanding best gained through dedicated focus on and expertise about military matters. Often the best resources for military families are the families themselves. For those who cover this issue, establishing contact early on with military families across the spectrum—officer, enlisted, diversity by race, age, gender of service member—provides a better understanding of the realities the families face. In cases where a news organization has not or could not maintain expertise, it helps to have a willingness to become a quick study of the military community through resources made available by academic institutions, military and veterans’ organizations, and independent think tanks.

The authors thank the countless military families we have known in our personal lives and professional lives who have contributed greatly to our understanding of and respect for this unique community. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this chapter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military Times.