National Security, the Law and the Media: Shaping Public Perceptions

• Author: Linda Robinson
• Position: Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report
• Pages: 197-202

XI

National Security, the Law and the Media:

Shaping Public Perceptions

Linda Robinson*

The American news media play asignificant role in shaping public percep-

tions of national security policies and their legality, and therefore have a

great responsibility to carry out their function with the highest possible degree of

professionalism. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, many complex and

sensitive issues involving national security and the law have arisen, which have in-

creased the challenge for the news media to perform its role with diligence and ac-

curacy. Some of the cases reflect inherent tensions between principles of civil

liberties, privacy rights, due process and national security; for example when pub-

lic disclosure and debate can conflict with national security imperatives that may

require secrecy for success of apolicy that aims to protect citizens. Agiven policy's

legality may be called into question, or there may be no settled law or legal interpre-

tation governing that policy. While media coverage of national security policies

can provoke controversy, it can also result in legislative, judicial or executive action

to clarify legal gray areas. This has been the case with detention and interrogation

policies for those captured in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in connection with the war on

terrorism. In some cases, the media is alleged to mislead the public with distorted,

partial or erroneous characterizations of national security policies or events. This

issue has arisen with regard particularly to the coverage of the war in Iraq. Media

*Senior Writer, U.S. News &World Report.