Defense One’s Post

The truth won't set you free, but it will definitely help you to know that we care about the Guttersnipe journalism, that is allowed to be sent on LinkedIn as a matter of fact. Watch this reel https://lnkd.in/ekjKkPtf

Front-line journalism is one of the most exhilarating and impactful professions, offering a unique opportunity to document history as it unfolds and to bring untold stories to the world. However, to navigate the complexities and dangers of such environments, journalists must maintain diplomatic contacts with all sides involved. This ensures access, safety, and balanced reporting, while reducing the risks of misrepresentation or harm. Equally important is the need for journalists to operate under the supervision or coordination of the state and forces they represent. This oversight ensures that live footage and sensitive information are responsibly managed, protecting both operational security and the journalist's integrity. By striking this balance, front-line journalists can deliver compelling, real-time reporting while upholding ethical standards and ensuring their safety in volatile situations. https://lnkd.in/dWRR_6NY

Please read my write up of the Report for America national gathering the other week and the importance of building a nationwide network of rural journalists!

In a nutshell, the article from Vox - https://lnkd.in/eqqFrKrk - highlights the underdog success story of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), a lesser-known U.S. intelligence agency that somehow managed to predict key events in Vietnam, Iraq, and Ukraine correctly while other intelligence bodies fumbled. Picture this: while the more famous CIA and Pentagon were busy making bold, and often wrong, predictions, the INR was like the quiet kid in the corner who actually knew what was going on. During the Vietnam War, they accurately forecasted the challenges and the eventual futility of U.S. military strategies. Fast forward to Iraq, the INR was skeptical about the infamous weapons of mass destruction that never existed. In Ukraine, they anticipated the conflict dynamics that are unfolding today. Despite being the smallest of the intelligence agencies, the INR’s track record reads like a list of “I told you so” moments. They had the knack for seeing through the fog of war and politics, focusing on data and ground realities rather than political narratives. While the big players in the intelligence community were getting invited to all the fancy parties and making headlines (for all the wrong reasons), the INR was quietly compiling reports that would later prove to be spot-on. So, the next time someone brings up intelligence failures, remember the INR—the intelligence agency equivalent of that underappreciated side character in a movie who ends up saving the day while everyone else is busy messing things up.

The media wields significant influence in global affairs, often underestimated in its ability to shape diplomatic outcomes and prevent conflicts. A stark reminder is the Israel-Hamas conflict, where 85 journalists have tragically lost their lives, underscoring the immense risks they face. These numbers surpass those of journalists killed during the Russo-Ukraine War in 2022, highlighting the grave dangers journalists encounter in their pursuit of truth. In today's fast-paced media landscape, it's crucial to recognize the responsibility we bear as professionals. We must ensure that the media serves as more than a mere player in international relations but rather as a crucial catalyst for peace and understanding. Let's honor the fallen journalists by amplifying their voices, supporting independent journalism, and advocating for the safety of those who risk everything to bring us vital stories. Media stands as a powerhouse of peace and can steer preventive diplomacy. Media's voice should not be killed. It should be protected, freed, and amplified. We need the peace, we need the dialogue, we need the understanding and compassion. We need Independent media! Check out our publications here: ludci.eu/publications/ #PowerOfMedia #JournalismMatters #WorldPeace #protectjournalists #mediaeffect #mediaspower #mediashelp #mediasearlywarning ludci Committee to Protect Journalists

What's the point of all of this attrition warfare in 2024? Disclaimer - Raw images from the frontline of Ukraine and Russia fighting each other. Shows both sides, fear, how they are both exhausted and the never ending barrage of missiles, gunfire, and now the extensive use of drones for surveillance and aerial attacks on troops. Both sides are using similar weaponry against each other and both seem tired and weary. Human beings dying on both sides, family crushed with heartache after losing a son or daughter and for what? There's lose all around, not gain. When will this end? Or will it? When will Russia, Ukraine and their supporters on both sides realize that nothing positive will come from this extended destruction of humanity and our natural world. Beyond the humans this video shows how the Earth is being destroyed, animal habitats, waterways, the air and more. War is horrible and the leadership responsible sit on their thrones drinking coffee, directing traffic, directing body bags, directing missile purchases, looking at their map of where to hit next. The people who die in war are rarely the people who are planning and orchestrating it. It's the young sons and daughters, the husbands and wives, and the poor villagers who have no other choice b/c this war is happening in their backyard. Watch this video if you can and tell me if you think this is worth it. Theresa Carpenter, APRᐩM Justin Smith, APR(M) Carl Benjamin Redding Jr., APR, MBA

Check out this piece that references my column earlier this year. It’s a great read.

Freedom of the press is always relevant.

My latest for Fox News.

13th Brigade recently embedded a journalist on a 2,500km road move from Perth to Derby on Exercise Austral Shield 2024. Embedded journalism – when a journalist is attached to a military unit on operations or training - is nothing new. While this venture provides a unique perspective on the complexities of service life, it also comes with challenges and risks. As a new Commander, my internal risk assessment kept oscillating between the risk of over-exposure Vs my desire to make service life less opaque. Will the coverage be overly selective after seeing a ‘warts and all’ view of the Brigade? Or will it provide an accurate account of the complexities our soldiers face as members of the profession of arms? Deliberately embedding a journalist in our exercise design resulted in a profoundly positive experience for the 13th Brigade with the coverage providing a realistic account of the environment while humanising the unique (and sometimes very normal) aspects of service life. What could be more human than the story of two sisters who joined the Army Reserve and the 13th Brigade, utterly unbeknownst to each other? Kicking a football at the overnight RV shows that there is time for fun when the workday is finished. Footage of soldiers grabbing an early morning breakfast ‘banjo' (egg and bacon roll) also provides a nostalgic link to our ex-serving community. Maintaining a solid partnership with my local media will be critical to assist us to 'Tell our Story' at every opportunity in 2024.