LETTER: Lack of info a protection

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Brian Carter’s article “Government More Likely to Limit Information to Public During Wartime, Says USU Professor” (Oct. 22). As a retired Army officer who spent 31 years on the other side of this issue, I question the conclusions drawn in this piece.

The article hints at a military cover-up in Afghanistan due to the lack of detailed strategic planning information in press releases. Having spent most of my military career as a medical operations and security officer, I can say without hesitation that the military makes every effort to furnish the press with valid and timely information.

I will concede that sensitive tactical information is often withheld from the press until after the conclusion of an operation. Even then, some details are omitted due to their use in ongoing tactical planning. Contrary to the assertions made in this article, the omission of detail is not done as part of a big government cover-up or conspiracy. It is done to save lives.

The enemy gathers and uses intelligence the same way we do. Every little scrap of information is analyzed to see if a pattern can be detected. Quite often, the most innocent piece of information can fill in a gap needed to plan counter operations. In short, these counter operations kill American soldiers.

More often than not, this information comes from our own press. Unlike the press of World War II, the modern press feels no obligation to censor what it reports. In today’s reality, sensitive information given to the press will inevitably end up in the evening news. Therefore, it should not be a big surprise the military is reluctant to share detailed planning information with the press.

I want to close by stating that I believe in a free press. A free press serves as the eyes and ears of the people and ensures that a government stays accountable for its actions. I also strongly believe in the First Amendment, but I feel that those who operate under its umbrella have an obligation to do so responsibly.

Everett M. Rowles

LTC, MS, USA (Retired)