Army's New Fear: Media's Friendly Fire -- Wall Street Journal
McChrystal's Fall Following Magazine Article Sends Shudders, Though Strategy Dictates Good Relations With the Press.
WASHINGTON—According to U.S. military doctrine, in order to defeat an insurgency like the one in Afghanistan, commanders must engage with the news media to win the hearts and minds of both the local population and the American public.
But in the wake of the firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as Afghan commander over intemperate remarks to Rolling Stone magazine, Pentagon officials are concerned the military may recoil in fear and anger from the press.
Read more ....
My Comment: I doubt that there will be any change in the policy of embedding reporters with soldiers and/or having a policy of providing easy access to journalists. What will change will be the message .... soldiers and commanders are going to be very cautious and careful in their comments and remarks, and while the senior commanders and Generals will continue to provide access to reporters to their offices .... they will be very careful in what they say and they will be telling their aides and advisers to be even more so.
As for that beer and drink in a bar to talk about the war .... I suspect that such a cozy relationship is no more.
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