Conclusion

The impact of this study on DoD public affairs is significant because of the large number of embedded journalists involved in military combat operations. Images of war will continue to be broadcast and the effects these images will have on public opinion may have a substantial influence on continued occupation of Iraq and other countries in which America finds or responds to conflict. DoD public affairs specialists need to know how the media is affecting public opinion and what role they play in responding to queries and other public outcries as well as helping to maintain public support and reducing the amount of negative affect experienced by news viewers.