ROLES (AND PERILS) OF BEING A WATCHDOG: THE PRESS AND GOVERNMENT

The relationship is complex because journalists and politicians depend on each other A free and independent media is a hallmark of freedom and provides an important check against government power. Meanwhile, government leaders are invested in pursuing their agenda. This brings about natural tensions between political objectives and the objective truth, and therefore between governments and media. Unfortunately, these tensions can manifest in intimidation and violence against members of the press. To discuss these tensions, and how they can be beneficial or detrimental to both sides, A BETTER PEACE invited War College post-doctoral fellow Amanda Cronkhite to discuss the historical and contemporary challenges of government and the media. A BETTER PEACE Editor Jacqueline E. Whitt moderates. Amanda Cronkhite is a post-doctoral fellow at the U.S. Army War College. Jacqueline E. Whitt is Professor of Strategy at the U.S. Army War College and the Editor of A BETTER PEACE. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo: Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford tells Thai and U.S. reporters that the military relationship between the two nations is strong and that leaders are planning for decades of cooperation during a news briefing in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2018. Photo Credit: DoD photo by Jim Garamone