In a democracy, citizens are confronted with policy questions relating to
information, particularly information about the actions of their government.
These questions are particularly difficult during wartime when secrecy about
certain information is sometimes essential for victory. How important is it for
people to know what the government is doing? Can the media print or broadcast
all the information they receive? What press policy should the military use in
wartime?
This unit focuses on the balance of press freedom and military censorship in
time of war. It provides history about the relationship between the press and
the U.S. military and two policies presented for how to achieve this balance.
It also introduces the idea of public policy and some strategies for assessing
these policies and other government policies.
Focus Questions
Should the government be able to review and censor news stories that discuss
troop deployments or military plans?
Should the government be able to review and censor news stories that criticize
how the President is conducting military actions?
Should the government be able to review and censor news stories that report on
anti-war protests?
Should the government be able to review and censor news stories that report the
names of people arrested for terrorist actions?
Should the government be able to stop the U.S. media from broadcasting
interviews or statements by Osama bin Laden or his lieutenants?
Objectives
Understand the competing interests of the government and the press in times of
war.
Generate a working definition of public policy.
Provide tools for analyzing policy in order to form an educated decision.
Realize the impact of public policy and how to affect policy decisions.
Materials
A. Reading: Press Freedom vs. Military Censorship
B. Tool: Looking at Public Policy: G R A D E
C. Activity: Press Rules for the War on Terrorism: A Presidential Commission
Press Freedom and Military Censorship: Questions to Consider and Suggested
Service Projects
Press Freedom and Military Censorship: Selected Community, Print, and Internet
Resources
Last updated: September 15, 2006
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