Dear Editor,
The article "Media must know when to shut up" in the June 10 edition of the Belvoir Eagle brought up some good points that not only can be applied to the sports environment but to military interaction with the media, as well. I realize the media has a job to do and I fully support Freedom of the Press. Just as coaches and players are grilled at inappropriate times, Soldiers find themselves in the same position when they are in the middle of an operation or event.
There have been times when Soldiers have not done a good job talking to the media or handling the situation when they find the media in their face. Sometimes when this happens, the story is published and it doesn't have an accurate depiction of the Soldier's side of the story.
The Army has addressed this by conducting training events to equip our Soldiers with the skills needed to approach media engagements in a professional manner, but it is a two-way street. If the media recognizes the situation, as well, I think there would be a more cooperative relationship between the military and the media where both sides come away with all the information to tell the story.
It was refreshing to see, through your article, that people in the media realize the situation exists.
Maj. Tom McGrath
U.S. Army
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