Does the Mainstream Media have too much access to information?

SSG William Teague — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:31:04 -0500

In light of the news headlines about our interrogation tactics in an attempt to extract information to save lives in the fight, I for one feel that the media has too much access to information. Is there a such thing as OPSEC any longer or are we tweeting battle plans and sharing phases of our operations with folks who do not need to know? In the middle of the information age are we opening ourselves up too much? I really do not care to know by what means information is given either willingly or by force. If it saves American lives as a result, I'm OK with that. We are hearing of our soldiers and citizens being abducted and beheaded or killed and often tortured before being killed. Am I looking at this wrong? Sound Off!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2014 3:48 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 15:48:05 -0500

I think the media often does get too much information, SSG William Teague. There's freedom of the press and then there is sharing so much information that American lives are put at risk from the sharing. Somewhere between those two lines is where we should stay when it comes to telling the press about military operations. Often the rationale for releasing the information is that it has already happened, but even then there can be a risk to American lives if we give away things like TTPs, troop locations, strengths, weaknesses.

Remember this "news release"?

http://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/10/world/mission-to-somalia-tv-army-on-the-beach-took-us-by-surprise.html

MISSION TO SOMALIA; TV Army on the Beach Took U.S. by Surprise

For a military establishment acutely conscious of its vulnerability to post-cold-war budget cutters, the landing at Mogadishu was the ultimate photo opportunity. But having finally secured an elusive spotlight, the marines discovered that they had too much of a good thing. As Navy Seals and Marine reconnaissance teams came shore under the glare of television lights, the spotlights and flash attachments gave away their positions, interfered...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2014 4:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 16:10:44 -0500

The reality is, mainstream media does not have access to that type of information unless someone in the military provides that information to the media.

Career bureaucrats often have professional, personal, political, social, or ideological agendas/policies that they pursue throughout their careers. At the most senior levels, when leaders do not agree with the policies of other federal agencies, legislative, or even their own agency, they leak this information to the press in order to discredit or sabotage.

These are executive level power politics that exist within every organization.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 8 at 2014 6:11 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 18:11:07 -0500

I think they get access to way to much info and sometime sensitive info. Look at the Bin Laden raid. They were broadcasting the events with in that week. Are you kidding me some things need not be released. I think the freedom of information act is being abused some times.