FUTURE MEDIA-MILITARY RELATIONSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The relationship between the military and the media is changing, propelled by certain momentous developments, in all the major democracies of the world, including Bangladesh. The media and the military are two important organizations in a democratic state. The media’s goal is to keep the public informed in a timely manner and to remain competitive with respect to the other media organizations. The military wants to maintain operational security for the success of the mission and the safety of the troops. Despite these conflicts in the past, the military needs to work closely and plan carefully for media involvement in any future contingency. In this era of technological advancement and their increased role, media is called the fourth pillar of the state. And military remains as one of the important elements of national power. Technological advances have greatly improved reporting from the scene of battle and conflict, and therefore have radically increased the media’s potential to influence and impact the outcome of future military operations. Bangladesh did not experience a complimentary media-military relationship in the past. Therefore, a good and positive media military relationship is very important in future especially in conducting military operations. Because both media and military is responsible in their own way for the protection of national interest and security. The unique attributes of military operations other than war have further complicated the issue for operational commanders. Information provided by the mass media can be a force multiplier for the astute commander; he must adopt a proactive approach toward media relations in order to realize the media’s potential for improving the chances for mission accomplishment. Commander’s approach must include personal involvement, organizational reform and force-wide education and training as he seeks to balance the legitimate and worthy objectives of both the military operation and the media covering the story shaping the public opinion. Military commanders need to study the military-media environment, new media technology and its impact on the military operations. And finally for developing a better media military relationship a comprehensive media policy of the armed forces is necessary.