Pentagon, Media Discuss Ground Rules

By: Todd Shields Updated 5:15 p.m. EST Media representatives and the Pentagon Friday discussed ground rules for reporting on expected U.S. military operations following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The gathering comes amid concern the administration may restrict reporting aimed at following potentially fast-moving, diffuse action abroad.

Military officials said Friday the Pentagon has not decided whether to activate the national media pool that would accompany armed forces into action. They asked Washington bureau chiefs from major news organizations how previously agreed ground rules should be applied, and requested responses by Monday.

Pentagon officials recast rules for covering operations after widespread complaints the military sequestered journalists in press pools, and kept them away from action, during the 1991 Gulf War. The controversy led to discussions between the Pentagon and media representatives, and to a joint nine-point Statement of Principles issued in 1992.

The Pentagon recently said those rules -- which recognize "open and independent reporting" as the "principal means of coverage" -- would guide it during any conflict in coming months, said Clark Hoyt, Washington editor for Knight Ridder.

A hoped-for tenth principle does not appear in the 1992 principles because the military and press were unable to agree whether the Pentagon may vet news copy. Journalists said they could be trusted not to reveal facts that would betray operational security. The Defense Department said "it must retain the option to review news material, to avoid the inadvertent inclusion in news reports of information that could endanger troops safety or the success of a mission."