War Reporters Under Threat
The United States and Media Freedom
War Reporters Under Threat describes the threat of violence facing war reporters from the United States government and some of its closest allies.
Chris Paterson argues that what should have been the lesson for the press following the invasion of Iraq - that they will be treated instrumentally by the US government - has been mostly ignored. As a result, even nominally democratic states cannot be counted upon to protect journalists in conflict, and urgent reform of legal protections for journalists is required.
War Reporters Under Threat combines critical scholarship with original investigation to assess the impact of the US government's obsession with information control and protection of its own troops. While the press-military relationship has been well researched, this book is the first to elaborate the US government threat to journalists.
Chris Paterson argues that what should have been the lesson for the press following the invasion of Iraq - that they will be treated instrumentally by the US government - has been mostly ignored. As a result, even nominally democratic states cannot be counted upon to protect journalists in conflict, and urgent reform of legal protections for journalists is required.
War Reporters Under Threat combines critical scholarship with original investigation to assess the impact of the US government's obsession with information control and protection of its own troops. While the press-military relationship has been well researched, this book is the first to elaborate the US government threat to journalists.
Chris Paterson teaches at the School of Media and Communication at the University of Leeds. He is the author of War Reporters Under Threat: The United States and Media Freedom (Pluto, 2014) and The International Television News Agencies (2011).
'Reminds us journalists always to ask the question: 'Are we mere messengers and voyeurs of war, or is the message we carry so valuable to the world beyond that it's worth the risk?'' - John Pilger
'In the shadow of 9/11 Paterson accuses the United States of acting with impunity in its targeting and killing of journalists and media workers. He provides a painstaking, thoughtful and ultimately damning case to answer over military adventures' - Aidan White, director of the Ethical Journalism Network and former Director General of the International Federation of Journalists
Preface
1. A Hidden War on the Media
2. The Culture of Press Intolerance: Collaboration and Suppression
3. Patterns of Violence: The Media Installation and the Media Worker
Part I: Escalation
Part II: Expansion of Anti-Press Violence
4. Media Response
5. Legality
6. Invisible Conflict?
Appendix I: A Chronology of Attacks on Media Facilities and Personnel Linked to the U.S. Government
Appendix II: Media Safety and Media Freedom Organisations
Notes
Index
1. A Hidden War on the Media
2. The Culture of Press Intolerance: Collaboration and Suppression
3. Patterns of Violence: The Media Installation and the Media Worker
Part I: Escalation
Part II: Expansion of Anti-Press Violence
4. Media Response
5. Legality
6. Invisible Conflict?
Appendix I: A Chronology of Attacks on Media Facilities and Personnel Linked to the U.S. Government
Appendix II: Media Safety and Media Freedom Organisations
Notes
Index
Published by Pluto Press in Jun 2014
Paperback ISBN: 9780745334172
eBook ISBN: 9781783710331
eBook ISBN: 9781783710331
135mm x 215mm