Reviews

Philip Seib (2004) Beyond the front lines: How the new media cover a world shaped by war

Palgrave Macmillan, New York. 185 pages. ISBN: 1403965471. £14.99 hardback.

This is an intelligent, tightly argued and interesting book that seeks to examine various transformations in US journalism in response to the 2003 Iraq war. The author argues that the 2003 war in Iraq has brought about a number of changes in journalistic practice. It is worth noting however that the author refers primarily to the changes that American journalism has undergone, though in some instances it is other forms of journalism in other regions of the world themselves responding to the Iraq war that have caused the change. Indeed the whole volume is US-centric in its approach, looking at how the US media have responded to Iraq and with a US flavour as to what constitutes journalism and what its role ought to be. This is not so much a criticism of the text as a statement and the author draws out a number of tensions between the US position (which is far from homogeneous) and other accounts. Perhaps more could be made of the problematising of a US centric approach but this does not detract too heavily from the book.

In terms of content, the book is composed of a preface and eight chapters each exploring differing aspects of how journalism has changed due to the war. The preface describes the general situation and sets the main question: '… despite the end of the Cold War, we find ourselves in a time of constant conflict that the news media are still deciding how to cover.' (p.xii). The text then sets out to explore this topic.

Chapter one covers the idea of journalism in conflict situations and details some of the major changes in global politics that impact upon journalism. These changes include both technological developments and transformations of global politics such as the end of the cold war. The gradual historical position of war journalism and journalism's response to war is examined in chapter two. Much emphasis is placed on the roles played by the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Kosovo in developing ways in which journalism functions in war situations.

Chapter three looks at how technology and journalistic techniques have developed in recent years and how they affect the form and nature of reporting. The chapter raises the key issue of 'embedding' - the situating of journalists with serving troops as observers - which is well handled with some interesting points being raised and a wealth of evidence, drawn from secondary sources, is used.

Chapter four extends the argument to wider political issues, in examining the relationship between the press and the Pentagon. The chapter recounts the fascinating story of 'Private Lynch' the captured soldier who received medical treatment by the Iraq forces and was then rescued by US special forces in an almost 'made for TV' operation. The story soon became elaborated upon and developed a life of its own. The chapter does well to tease apart the various layers of the story and explores the unhealthily close relationship between press and government.

The impact of new technology upon journalism both as a new medium and as a potential arena of conflict is dealt with in chapter five. In addition to detailing the way in which news agenda are transformed by the advent of 'blogging', the chapter also addresses the issue of whether conflict can actually be carried out 'online'. Attention here is focussed upon ideas of information warfare, attacking sources and channels of information for another nation state and propaganda purposes. The chapter also warns against but downplays the possible use of hacking to actually cause loss of life in a foreign country.

Chapter six covers the issue of the rise of Arab media and its effect upon journalistic and news reporting practices in the US. One aspect of particular interest is the way in which Al-Jazeera, the less pro-Saddam Al-Arabiya and other Arab media sources are regarded by many US sources as being implicitly pro-Arab and therefore 'un-objective' while US sources provide 'objective' coverage. The text reports this, but does not make any overt criticism of this position and to some degree supports it.

The topic of media or public diplomacy is the subject of chapter seven. This relates the development of 'soft' power or the non-military political reach executed through the representation of US interests in other countries. The gradual recognition of the importance of this issue in the US polity is evidenced through the increasing funding poured into activities in Iraq such as 'Voice of America', the US-funded 'Radio SAWA' and sponsored TV content. These and other broadcasting ventures had to move beyond straightforward propaganda as 'a sceptical and sometimes hostile public will not simply accept information that they are being spoon-fed. The obvious self-serving advertising messages the United States produced seemed to some Muslims to be patronising. Television officials even in the relatively friendly governments of Egypt and Jordan refused to air them' (p. 130). Instead, the US sponsored a number of programmes that promoted American values and lifestyle while offering subtle criticism of the Iranian government.

The way in which journalists may respond to future conflicts and the influence that the media may have on conflicts are addressed in chapter eight. Here a key theme that has been present throughout the book is explored: the changes in media practice in reporting wars and how media practice affects global politics. The deeply integrated nature of news agendas and political interests are explored and the text makes some very balanced and fascinating comments upon how 'interesting' and current wars are explored to the detriment of the reporting of more complicated intractable military conflicts.

Overall this is a strong and interesting book. The main criticism is its normalisation of the US state of affairs, that the US system and understanding of journalism should be the 'norm' against which other systems are judged. This is perhaps asking the book to be something that it is clearly not: a critique of the practice of journalistic activity. The author, Philip Seib, is a professor of journalism and within the remit of liberal, democratic but critical journalism, the text is a distinct, valid and certainly useful contribution.

Marcus Leaning, Trinity College, University of Wales.