Emerging News Media Communication Technologies in Future Military Conflicts.

Recent advances in communications technology enable events to be seen as they are happening throughout the world. Portable satellite-based communications equipment enables correspondents to broadcast live. This capability has transformed the news industry as well as the way in which people witness distant events. This technology has the potential to bring audiences closer to events. With the advent of satellite-transmitted global communications, it creates a level of shared experiences worldwide. Perhaps the greatest impact will be felt in the coverage of warfare. The Persian Gulf War of January and February 1991, marked the first time in which live television reports enabled a worldwide audience to see military events as they were happening. Satellite images were used in a global battle for public opinion. This study examines how the U.S. military public affairs community can cope with the expanded communications networks in future military operations conflicts. It looks at the history of advances in long distance communications and the sometimes friendly, sometimes antagonistic history of the U.S. military and the news media. Military concerns over the safety of troops and the medias for unimpeded access to events point to the primary conflict both side must address how the military will accommodate the media and its new technology in future conflicts.