Gulf War I (1991): War as Media Event
First ‘live’ television war (CNN)
Updated 2-18-08
Dilemma: How
to reconcile the need to preserve national security with freedom of the press
Post-Grenada rules of access
Pages of restrictions
No lights at night; carry own gear
No reports that “could jeopardize operations and
endanger lives”
No names, images, details, of troop locations,
movements, level of security/
Public affairs escorts required, at decision of field
commander
Military concerns
Numbers of journalists (1,000 or more), could
overwhelm military units.
Intrusiveness of equipment, lights
Sensitivity of security
Pools selected 126 correspondents prior to war, 250
later
Led to selection controversies, delays. (100,000
troops).
Limited pools, ‘security reviews’
‘Unilaterals’ detained,
captured
Communication strategies
Pentagon, other
Briefings highly produced, Deaver).
Television-oriented: sets, lighting, visual displays
Press arrangements controlled: no access to
flag-draped coffins in
News blackout for first day of air strikes in
Coverage themes
Return to WW II metaphors: patriotism, ‘our war,”
flags, winning for the team, war a positive experience
Rhetoric of triumphant technology: Scuds, ‘smart’ bombs, cruise missiles, gunsight cameras, Patriot missiles
Onscreen military ‘experts’ as talking heads
Few reports of casualties
Gulf War as strategic communications
Supported military campaign
Protected military security
Provided information to public
Minimized distracting messages
Reached national audiences, thanks to CNN
Sustained public support
(Short,
successful war with few visible casualties)
Peripheral
Limited news coverage by
News framed differently – beyond
Video: “No Man’s Land: Women’s Frontline Journalists,”
(Canadian Broadcasting, 1994)
Janine di Giovanni, London
Sunday Times
Lyse Doucet,