Muzzling the watchdog : a critical examination of embedded reporting

Abstract

The following dissertation is a theoretical piece which examines the practice of embedded reporting. It will first of all give a brief outline of war reporting through history. It will then explore important issues regarding the cost of embedded reporting, not merely from a financial point of view but far more tragically, the cost in human lives: the risk of death being as it is, a stark everyday reality for embedded reporters. The discussion will then move on to the technical aspect of embedded reporting, the guidelines put in place to regulate this means of reporting, as well as tracing the reasons why the Pentagon came up with this seemingly novel way of reporting. Having established a background as to the hows and whys of embedded reporting, the dissertation will delve into the all-important question of whether this form of reporting is truthful and objective, or merely a tool serving the military's agenda.