Serving those who serve? : Recon, Soldiers Journal and the priorities of the Pentagon channel

• Main Author: Hatlen, Lucas David
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Television; Government; Military; Media
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/26534

The Pentagon Channel, a media outlet funded and controlled by the U.S. Department of Defense, has continuously disseminated Pentagon approved programming to American audiences since 2004. Although the content created for The Pentagon Channel encompasses a variety of genres, the core justification for the channels existence is its ability to provide members of the armed forces with credible military news and information not otherwise available. At the same time, the channel is expected to function as an advocate of the Pentagon. This thesis is focused on Recon and Soldiers Journal, two of the news and information programs on The Pentagon Channel. By analyzing the way these programs frame sensitive issues including injury, violence, and death, this project argues that The Pentagon Channel privileges its role as Pentagon advocate above its mandate to provide credible information to servicemembers. === text