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Campbell, C. E.

Geography

2005

MA

This study focused on news maps and other spatial information graphics depicting US military campaigns in 1991, 2001, and 2003. News organizations operate within a profit-oriented, capital-intensive environment which may constrain how information is gathered and disseminated. Also, during times of war military agendas will likely conflict with news media reporting, resulting in both limited media access to theaters of war and consequently a dependency upon military sources of information. A review of literature concerning news maps of war reveals a disturbingly consistent portrayal of war regardless of when and where each conflict has occurred. Images and symbols of tanks, planes, bombs and other weapons predominantly shape the spatial relationship of war, with considerations limited to the conduct rather than the consequences of these technologies. Independent research was undertaken to identify the continuity and change of more contemporary representations. Research materials were drawn from the three most widely circulating US weekly news magazines: Times, Newsweek, and US News & World Report. Analysis of information sources from which their maps and graphics were compiled was conducted, and relationships of source information to thematic content were evaluated. In terms of base maps used, online commercial map services such as DigitalGlobe.com and EarthViewer.com became available after 1991, and were used quite heavily in 2001 and 2003. There was an increased use of aerial photos, satellite images and digital terrain models during these two periods over the conventional line graphics of 1991. Very often all four base map types were found combined in a single compilation by the 2003 period. In terms of content, it was found that these representations typically focused on warfare consisting of logistical, tactical, and strategic considerations centered on the efficacy of military technologies. Predominant sources of information used in the compilation of these images were the US Department of Defense, GlobalSecurity.org, and the Associated Press.
It is suggested that the relationship between source citation and content reflects a dependency upon certain sources for reasons of cost, expediency and limited access. However, results of this study indicate a more likely explanation involving editorial preference for sources complimentary to military themes to satisfy presumed readership expectations. Although more sophisticated geographic products and graphics rendering have become available, this has had no observable effect on thematic content. It is the author's opinion that with such urbane production and the consistency of supplementary sources cited it cannot be argued that news media lack the ability to produce alternative cartographic depictions of war and conflict.