Accession Number:

ADA280805

Title:

The Influence of the Media on National Security Decision Making in the United States

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

AIR WAR COLL MAXWELL AFB AL

Personal Author(s):

• Byars, Napoleon B.

Report Date:

1994-04-01

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

Accepting the media as a full-fledged participant in national security decision-making is an alarming proposal to policy makers inside the government and to many military officers. Critics of the media claim its sole purpose is to highlight inconsistencies in national policy abroad and undercut public consensus for national defense strategy at home. Those same critics also suggest the media has historically been at odds with national security policy, acted irresponsibly in its effort to inform the public, and therefore should be kept out of the national security decision-making arena altogether. This paper examines this criticism and chronicles the evolution of the media as a full- fledged and influential participant in national security decision-making. Influence, Media, National, Making, United States.

Descriptors:

• *NATIONAL SECURITY
• *DECISION MAKING
• *MASS MEDIA
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• MILITARY OPERATIONS
• MILITARY STRATEGY
• MEDIA
• OFFICER PERSONNEL
• PUBLIC OPINION
• NATIONAL DEFENSE
• PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• HISTORY
• UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• UNITED STATES
• POLICIES

Subject Categories:

• Administration and Management
• Information Science
• Sociology and Law
• Defense Systems
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
• Radio Communications

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE