What role can the media play in governance of the security sector? What obstacles hinder the media’s ability to provide effective oversight of security institutions? This book from the Bonn International Center for Conversion and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces examines the role of the media in governance and oversight of the security sector. It argues that the media have a vital role to play in monitoring security institutions and helping citizens make informed decisions regarding the security sector.
Journalists encounter numerous obstacles and challenges in reporting on the security sector and performing their watchdog function. Governments may restrict access to information or seek to co-opt journalists, while the media may risk internalising official perspectives on perceived threats to national security. Reliance on and privileging of official statements, and a lack of expertise on security issues, can undermine the media’s ability to act as a watchdog. To play an effective role in overseeing the security sector, journalists must have a degree of distance from government and protection from intimidation and threats.
A number of trends threaten to hinder the media’s ability to act as a watchdog of the security sector. These include:
- the climate of securitisation after 11 September 2001 – an emphasis on government secrecy, restrictions on information available to the public and ostracism of critical journalists have had a significant impact on the media;
- the ‘dumbing-down’ of news – an increasing trend towards entertainment news and a decline in serious public affairs journalism impose serious constraints on reporting of complex security-related issues;
- the monopolisation of media ownership – the increasing ownership of the media by conglomerates reduces the spectrum of perspectives published and undermines independent and critical journalism;
- reliance on official sources – the quest for objectivity can lead to reliance on official government sources, making it more difficult to present alternative perspectives; and
- judicial deference – in states where judicial deference is common, courts are likely to side with the government on issues pitting claims of national security against press freedom.
The relationship between the media and security institutions is necessarily one of tension, due to differing institutional cultures and goals. Nevertheless, the media and security sector are mutually dependent and must cooperate to educate the public and hold government to account over security policy:
- The military needs the media in order to inform the public about its role and maintain public support. While independent reporting is necessary to hold the military to account, the media are largely dependent on the military for information.
- During armed conflict the media are essential for informing the public about military operations, but face restrictions from government and the armed forces. Embedding journalists can improve media-military cooperation, but can also undermine objectivity.
- A cooperative relationship between the police and the media can help to educate the public, but risks undermining media scrutiny of the police. Media scrutiny of the police can establish accountability for specific incidents, but has less influence on policy.
- The intelligence sector poses a number of special challenges for the media. The necessity for secrecy creates the risk of over-reliance on official information and manipulation of information provided to journalists.
