While this can be ascribed to training and regular patrolling by some, the frequency and volume of aircraft involved can be seen more as a continuous test of that country’s resolve to defend its airspace and, no doubt, to monitor how it responds to a variety of aircraft types and challenges. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) appears to have stepped up its campaign of incursions into the national airspace of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Invariably, aside from the ‘high budget’ daily and broadcast media who can afford some measure of independence, the soldier on the ground knows what is happening in front of their eyes, and trying to push an alternative truth will out in the end.Ī FIVE DAY SNAPSHOT OF CHINA’S INCURSIONS INTO TAIWAN’S AIR SPACE Picture from Ministry of National Defence, Taiwan of PLAAF Y-8 ASW in Taiwan’s ADIZ. Blue ‘media’ body armour was no longer available from sources that had previously provided it, courses and training had to be undertaken (at own expense), medical check-ups had to be made – including a visit to the dentist. The ‘Green Book,’ the Ministry of Defence’s Guide on Working Arrangements was tightened and made much more costly for independents to contemplate the trip.
However, as the conflict progressed, independent media were less often given room on any flight as ‘in-house’ government media were given priority. Both of these stories were initially played down – or minimised. (There was also a lack of body armour for the troops in the early days of the War in Iraq). Sometimes negative reporting is a good thing – such as the criticism over the continued use of Snatch Land Rovers until they were withdrawn. When I first went to Afghanistan in 2007, journalists like me who essentially write about defence and who are not war correspondents were given assistance to make the trip to report on the campaign in general, to interview a variety of commanders and report on the equipment being used. When this happens those in control start to bring in their own ‘tame’ people who will tell the story the way those running the campaign want it to be told.
It is at this point where independent journalists who want to reflect the reality of the situation rebel against having a version of the story told to them. It was a long conflict, and as often happens in conflicts those who are trying to control its direction also try to ‘manage’ how the story is told.
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