Executive Summary: Day One of CSI Symposium

Keynote speaker

Mr. Bill Kurtis, CEO of Kurtis Productions, spoke to symposium attendees and CGSC Classes 09-02 and 10-01 on his experiences as a correspondent from 1966 to the present. The majority of his speech addressed his experience in reporting on the effects of Agent Orange on American Soldiers and the Vietnam landscape, although he covered a number of related issues such as the fall of Saigon. During the question and answer session, Mr. Kurtis fielded questions about the impact of technology on the press and objectivity of the press in wartime. When asked how the military could best work with the media community, Mr. Kurtis offered two points, “Utilize the local media,” and “Don’t lose the trust of the media, because it’s impossible to get back.”

Panel Session 1: Forging a Relationship: The Army and the Media

Moderated by Dr. Don Wright (CSI), the panel consisted of two papers, “A Horrible Fascination: The Military and the Media” by Mr. Frederick Chiaventone, noted historical novelist, and “Ethics and Embedded Journalists: Beyond Boundaries of Industry Induced Guidelines on Objectivity and Balance” by Mr. Ron Martz, former embedded reporter and journalism instructor. Mr. Chiaventone presented a general overview of the military-media relationship from the nineteenth century with the intent of highlighting the examples of both antipathy and cooperation between the two institutions. Mr. Martz provided personal insights from serving as an embedded reporter in Iraq as well as teaching journalism to undergraduates. A lively discussion session focused on the issues of ethics in wartime reporting and the decisions that reporters must make in the process of covering the story. Mr. Martz offered his personal observation that complete objectivity was not possible, that human perception is always influenced by a specific viewpoint and experience.

Panel Session 2: The Philippines and the First World War

Moderated by MAJ Clay Mountcastle (CSI), the panel consisted of two papers, “Its Officers did not Forget: The Philippine War, the Press, and the Pre-World War I Army,” by Dr. Thomas Bruscino, School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) and “Conflicts of Interest: Media Ethics and the First World War” by Mr. Jared Tracey, Airborne and Special Operations Museum historian. Dr. Bruscino’s presentation highlighted the controversies surrounding harsh counterguerrilla methods employed by U.S. Soldiers in the Philippines and the media outrage that ensued. Mr. Tracey’s paper outlined the evolution of military censorship during WWI and the reaction of military officers. Both presentations underscored the fact that, before the event of WWII, the military and the media were often at odds. The short question and answer period focused on the partisan nature of the print media at the turn of the century.

Panel Session 3: The Vietnam War

Moderated by LTC Scott Farquhar (CSI), the panel consisted of two papers, “Generals Westmoreland and Abrams Meet the Press: What Went Right and What Went Wrong with Media Relations in Vietnam,” by Dr. William Hammond, Center of Military History and “The Viet Cong Assault on the US Embassy at Tet and the Military Media Controversy it Launched” by Mr. Donald North, independent journalist. This session was attended by 104 personnel. Dr. Hammond covered the varied experiences of commanders in Vietnam in dealing with the press. Mr. North’s paper illustrated the strong impact of Tet on the media coverage of the war and the public sentiment. Discussion focused on the strong and lasting effects of personal rifts between reporters and military figures during Vietnam. During the day, CSI conducted two presentations of its Virtual Staff Ride, using the Operation Anaconda scenario. Both presentations were well received by the varied audience that attended. Mr. Kurtis was especially taken with the presentation.

Welcome!

Welcome to the 2009 Combat Studies Institute Symposium. This year's topic is "The U.S. Army and the Media in Wartime: Historical Perspectives." After opening remarks, Mr. Bill Kurtis will deliver the keynote address in Eisenhower Auditorium, beginning at 0845. Today's agenda is as follows:

1015-1145 Panel One: "Forging a Relationship: The Army and the Media"

1200-1240 Optional Virtual Staff Ride in RM 2104

1300-1430 Panel Two: "The Philippines and the First World War"

1445-1615 Panel Three: "The Vietnam War"

This blog will feature live updates from the panels and speakers. Feel free to interact and join in the discussion.