Military and the news media: localizing the relationship

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"A thesis in communication submitted to the graduate faculty of Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts."
This study takes a qualitative approach to the study of the relationship between local news media and Department of Defense public affairs personnel, which include the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. Agenda setting theory suggests that media are highly influential in telling consumers what to think about. Using this theory, the exclusion of news happening on a military base could lead its surrounding community to think there is less or no value coming out of that entity. This study looks at how the relationship between journalists and public affairs personnel influences media coverage, the role of limited newsroom resources on base coverage, and how public affairs personnel can work around journalists with tight schedules as a result of limited resources. Data collected suggests there is no remedy for quick access to news events that happen on the base. However, research shows that a good relationship between journalists and public affairs personnel could provide quicker access to news events compared to their counterparts with no relationship. Research also found a lack of effort on the public affairs side to actively engage news media with daily, weekly, or monthly newsworthy events.
Communication & Media
College of Liberal Arts

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