Media Access to Military Operations an Evaluation of the New DOD Instruction, Procedures for Joint Public Affairs Operations.

This study is a qualitative examination of media access to military operations in light of the new Department of Defense Instruction 5400.14.4, Procedures for Joint Public Affairs Operations Based on a review of literature on media access to military operations, an examination of current policies and procedures, as well as a comparative analysis of views presented by media and military representatives, the researcher assesses the efficacy of the new DoD Instruction. The researcher concludes that while the new Instruction is a vast improvement on previous policies that prohibited or severely restricted media access to military operations, there are areas it neglects to address in an adequate manner. These oversights may lead to a recurrence of tensions between the media and the military that existed prior to the implementation of the new Instruction. Media and military members should be apprised of the key concepts of the new DoD Instruction to ensure negation of tensions in the media-military relationship. Members of those institutions should engage in a continuing, proactive dialogue to address future concerns and enhance understanding of each others requirements and limitations. The military and media should agree on mutually acceptable numerical limitations to future military operations. The DoD should consider using a centralized funding source for equipping joint information bureaus.