Defence Forces Review 2010

Abstracts – 65 Senior Command and Staff CourseRole of Media in Pakistan’s War on TerrorMajor Sajid Amin. MSc Art and Science of Warfare (Pakistan)ABSTRACTThe media has emerged as an immensely powerful instrument to influence public opinionabout any issue. Those controlling the media can project things according to their perspectivescompared to those who fail to reckon with its power. The media has also become an activeand influential participant in armed conflict informing and influencing public opinion. Publicsupport is crucial to military operations, particularly in war on terror and is largely shapedby the media. Considering the importance of media, some analysts have even termed it as aprinciple of war.Review of the literature examines four themes of power/functions of media, role of mediain war on terror, impediments in media-military relations and current role of media inPakistan’s war on terror. It highlights that media assumes more importance in the war onterror to shape public opinion, to counter propaganda of the terrorists, and helps in executionof psychological operations, which are critical for success of the war on terror. Review ofliterature also indicates that the media has been used by American forces to its optimumpotentials in support of their war on terror.It was also observed that de-centralised execution of media plans and a proactive approach tocounter terrorists’ propaganda is more suitable for the war on terror. Furthermore, it was foundthat education for military leaders as well as soldiers in the field of media is significant foreffective utilisation of the media in the war on terror. The findings indicate that employmentof the media in Pakistan’s war on terror is seriously hampered by lack of a media doctrine andproper planning process.Although Pakistan army is using the media in support of its war on terror, this process is notvery well structured. Recommendations have been made to further improve the support ofmedia for Pakistan’s war on terror. The thesis also identifies certain areas for further researchrelated to role of the media in warfare.123