| This research project is an historical, legal, and scholarly review of news media-national security (military) relations during wartime or time of crises to identify factors explaining, alleviating, or aggravating the relationship between national security requirements versus the news media's right to know. Adopting Gadi Wolfsfeld's Transactional Model of Media Interaction, this study seeks to discover whether or not an optimal working relationship between the news media and military is possible.; The objectives of this study were to (1) conduct a literature review of relevant studies addressing the relationship between the news media and national security institutions, (2) review crucial case law influencing the news media-military relationship, (3) conduct an historical examination of wartime news media-military relations, (4) identify factors affecting this relationship, and (5) present recommendations regarding the establishment of an optimal working relationship between the news media and military.; Data were collected through a literature review of works relevant to the study of the relationship between the American news media and our government's national security institutions, particularly the military during wartime. Data were also collected through an historical review of primary and secondary sources.; Twenty-five "critical factors" were identified that affect the relationship between the news media and national security establishment. The factors emanated from the review of scholarly studies, judicial precedent, and historical relationships. The broad conclusion reached is that, historically, no common or standard relationship has been found between the news media and the military and that such relationship constantly changes according to the individual circumstances of the conflict and current sociopolitical environments. Consequently, the ability to establish an "optimal working relationship" permitting both parties to meet the majority of their institutional objectives and responsibilities, without significant sacrifice, is only possible through efforts toward mutual understanding, consensus and compromise, the development of trust and responsibility, and their willingness to do so. |
