Media Reporting of Military Affairs

[Pursuit Curve]

The recent coverage and accusations by the media regarding military actions, hardware and such is so rife for comment that I wanted to get some feedback from everyone here, share your opinions and stories, opinions and how the role of teh Military, whether it regards hardware, purchasing, tactics, "Imbedding" etc.

Who do you think does the best job in reporting?
Who does the worst?

Ready, Aim FIRE away people!

 

[Whiskyjack]

In New Zealand, and other countries I suspect, the problem with media reporting in the military is that they do not have the first idea on what equipment is used for, what the military do and how long it takes to train and do it.

It is frustrating to see the media reporting as facts information that is provided to it, by 'interested parties' without verifying or understanding what it is they are saying.

As an example, in NZ the budget is reported in such a way that it includes figures such as GST and Capital Charge which are paid back to the Govt. These figures should not be included in the budget as they are not spent by the Defence force. However they are used and as a result the actual budget is inflated making it seem greater than it actually is.

The general public rely on the media for information on pretty much everything, if the info is not accurate then the public are mis-informed making it easier for 'interested parties' to spin their point of view.

Sorry for the rant but this subject is a constant source of frustration to me.

 

[Pursuit Curve]

In New Zealand, and other countries I suspect, the problem with media reporting in the military is that they do not have the first idea on what equipment is used for, what the military do and how long it takes to train and do it.

It is frustrating to see the media reporting as facts information that is provided to it, by 'interested parties' without verifying or understanding what it is they are saying.

As an example, in NZ the budget is reported in such a way that it includes figures such as GST and Capital Charge which are paid back to the Govt. These figures should not be included in the budget as they are not spent by the Defence force. However they are used and as a result the actual budget is inflated making it seem greater than it actually is.

The general public rely on the media for information on pretty much everything, if the info is not accurate then the public are mis-informed making it easier for 'interested parties' to spin their point of view.

Sorry for the rant but this subject is a constant source of frustration to me.

Whiskyjack, don't worry about the rant, here in Canada there is alot being made of the use of WP by the US troops in recent fighting in Iraq, the way the reporting is done makes one think that no one has done any fact checking on the use of Willy Pete, they are stating that it is some kind of "New" Weapon that is being used against civillians.

I remember that during the first Gulf War, theer was a photo of one of the USN Battle Wagons launching Cruise Missiles at targets in Iraq, the caption stated that the Cruise Missiles were "Nuclear Tomahawk Cruise Missiles!"

If anyone one on Civie street would have taken that literally, then everyone would assume that there is a Nuclear Strike being launched against Iraqi targets!

 

[oskarm]

In New Zealand, and other countries I suspect, the problem with media reporting in the military is that they do not have the first idea on what equipment is used for, what the military do and how long it takes to train and do it.

It is frustrating to see the media reporting as facts information that is provided to it, by 'interested parties' without verifying or understanding what it is they are saying.

As an example, in NZ the budget is reported in such a way that it includes figures such as GST and Capital Charge which are paid back to the Govt. These figures should not be included in the budget as they are not spent by the Defence force. However they are used and as a result the actual budget is inflated making it seem greater than it actually is.

The general public rely on the media for information on pretty much everything, if the info is not accurate then the public are mis-informed making it easier for 'interested parties' to spin their point of view.

Sorry for the rant but this subject is a constant source of frustration to me.

In Poland we have this same problems. I think that's world wide "illnes" (saving costs on specialised jurnalists). But who cares? Mayby 1-2% of viewers that can be ignored

 

[turin]

The general media in Germany has no insight in military technology whatsoever, being (I think) mainly a consequence of decades of politically correct pacifism. Its getting especially hilarious when there is live footage of some military parade (outside Germany of course, since german forces dont do parades) and you got some guy represented as an expert making comments on the equipment shown, or the background of military units. Thats always lots of fun.

Also the combination of a political agenda and lack of military knowledge forms a dangerous combination quite often, the Eurofighter is a regular target of such "coverage". Something like that has formed famous headliners such as "Eurofighter lacks gun" or "Eurofighter cant fly in winter times".

I would rate german media as among the worst in the world in this respect. Austrian media is a bit more terrible though.

 

[dave dastardly]

On TV3 news tonight (NZ), the reporter was in Malta covering the CHOGM meeting. He referred to the British "frigate" that was present. Behind him, you could clearly see the bow and ski jump on HMS Illustrious.