Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book is a shocking expose of how the US government has worked to undermine media freedom worldwide while publically advocating for it. In particular, it examines the threat of violence facing war reporters- a threat increasingly coming from the US military itself, and some its closest allies.
Paterson argues that during the invasion of Iraq it became clear that the traditional relationship between the state and journalists had changed. The US and its allies prioritised information control over all other considerations. As a result, war reporters can no longer count on once-trusted states to protect or respect journalists in conflict. Paterson argues that urgent reforms offering legal protections for journalists are required.