The pros and cons of 'embedding'

The pros and cons of 'embedding'

By Matthew Price
on board the Ark Royal

Some operations are not reporter

How good a picture can embedded media give of what is really happening in Iraq? The military has made great play of the fact that it has given huge access to reporters and camera teams. But what is life like for the embedded reporter?

The TV in HMS Ark Royal's ward room is the closest many on board have got to Iraq. This is also the place every day that embedded media and officers mingle.

"To be honest, most of us expected the media to embark. I don't think anybody had any major concerns about embarking media," says one.

"It's not a bad thing because then at least you can get a story from the horse's mouth, as it were because you are here. But the only danger arises when the media tries to put its spin onto whatever it sees," says another.

However, the more suspicious service personnel will not talk on the record, worried their words could be manipulated.

One told me when he watches the news he see inaccuracies creeping into every report.

I asked him, why does he think that happens?

There is a certain nervousness because before you're embedded, we don't know each other and we don't know what our agendas are going to be

Commander Phillip Paton, HMS Ark Royal

Because there are so many embedded journalists and too few of them are experts, he replied.

Name recognition

Up on deck I find Rear Admiral David Snelson in charge of not just the naval task force here but also the media operations department that works out of his base in Bahrain.

"If we, the military, are the only people to put out news, we'd say quite naturally, is this accurate news or not.

But having names people recognise- they say that's a journalist I know this clearly is an accurate story of what's actually happening."

But can embedded reporters give a truly accurate picture?

Embedded media can only report what they are told or what is gleaned from official sources.

What is more, occasionally they cannot report it - the whole truth is hidden for operational reasons. Trust comes into it too.

Nervousness or mistrust

Commander Phillip Paton Is in charge of supervising the media on HMS Ark Royal.

"There is a certain nervousness because before you're embedded, we don't know each other and we don't know what our agendas are going to be."

"There is a process of nervousness but I would not say it is mistrust. It is a normal way of building a working relationship," Commander Patton said.

You get close to your story, but this gives you a unique insight into one small part of this war - a part that fits into the overall jigsaw puzzle of what is really going on

Matthew Price

I have been here on board looking out over the Gulf for the best part of four weeks now.

It has been hugely frustrating. Much of the time I have often wanted to cover stories but even if our media minders have been happy for me to do so, their superiors, either in Bahrain or London, have stopped me.

On the other hand, if it suited the Navy, they have done all they can to make sure the story gets on air. Here at least the military is able to call the shots on what I cover and what I don't.

News turn-off

On a personal level I think I have stayed objective while on board.

Yes, you get close to your story, but this gives you a unique insight into one small part of this war - a part that fits into the overall jigsaw puzzle of what is really going on.

Back in HMS Ark Royal ward room there is talk that they will turn off the rolling news satellite feed.

They are fed up with the speculation and what some say is a negative picture of what is going on in Iraq.

They should be supporting us, one member of the crew told me. That is not necessarily a commonly held view here but it does underline the tension between media and military.

This broadcast by Matthew Price from the HMS Ark Royal has been checked by British military minders.