A Comparison of Embedded and Nonembedded Print Coverage of the U.S. Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

Abstract

This study examines the impact of embedded versus nonembedded (unilateral) news coverage during the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq. A content analysis was conduycted of the Washington Post, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Chicago Tribune news coverage of the invasion and occupation examining whether embedded and nonembedded new reports were different and, if so, how. News reports were examined for differences in tone toward the military, trust in the military, framing, and authoritativeness. The results of the study revealed significant differences in overall tone toward the military, trust in military personnel, framing, and authoritativeness between embedded and nonembedded articles.