The media discourse on Defence: with particular focus on the Reserves

As early as 1923, it was suggested that journalism held the key to popular support for service personnel in war and in peace. Today, this is still true, with often a torrent of information—almost akin to what has been called the 'super‐saturation' of information, images and issues—about defence forces in the modern media.

Like all government‐funded bodies, Australia's Defence organisation is rightly open to scrutiny. But it is also a favourite with news reporters for the drama and issues that often surround it, evidence of which can be found online, on television, radio and often in newspapers, where evocative headlines alert readers to the latest issue, problem or scandal.

A 2006 study of perceptions of news credibility about the war in Iraq found that stories on‐line and on internet blog sites were more believable to consumers than other sources, who saw them as less 'government aligned'. Blog sites often reflect a similar anti‐Government, anti‐Defence line, not infrequently undermining Defence and its personnel. However, this not new; only the manner of presentation has changed. Particularly from the days of the Vietnam War, the presentation of news on Australia's allies and serving men and women has often evidenced negative reporting, with a resultant impact on the public's perception.

This paper argues that contemporary opinion pieces, particularly in the form of blogs and online stories, are beginning to show a similar trend. If it continues, this vein of reporting may lead again to Australia's serving personnel, including the Reserves, having to deal with negative public responses. This is an issue that needs to be countered, including by the development of an appropriate strategic communications strategy.

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