Happy New Year to everyone…and Midrats is back with you.

Join us today for a broad-ranging discussion for our 15th Anniversary Show with a regular guest since the start, Claude Berube.

The conversation will go who knows where, but we will begin by reflecting on how the defense media and information environment has evolved since 2010—not just from the perspective of the information consumer, but also in terms of where decision-makers turn for opinions and ideas. We’ll include some inside baseball as well, starting with how the relationship between the PAO world and the broader number and flavor of media has evolved.

Here’s to the 16th Season!

Claude Berube, PhD, is a retired Navy Commander and retired professor from the Naval Academy. He's worked on Capitol Hill and as a contractor for Naval Sea Systems Command and the Office of Naval Research. He also worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence. He is the author or co-author of eight books including his most recent. He is working on his ninth book, about the Navy and the lead up to World War 2. His new podcast about the United States Senate will begin later this month.

Showlinks

• Powerline Blog and Dan Rather’s Memogate
• MWI’s “Spear” podcast
• The Failure of the Institutions
• Claude’s “Siren’s Song” and other books
• War on the Rocks
• CIMSEC
• Bill Roggio & Long War Journal
• Sal Mergcogliano’s What’s Going on With Shipping
• John Konrad’s gCaptain
• Geopolitics Decanted Podcast
• Information Dissemination blog, by Raymond Pritchett

Summary

In this episode of the MidRats podcast, hosts Sal and Mark celebrate the 15th anniversary of their show with guest Claude Berube. They discuss the evolution of information in national security, the impact of media on public perception, and the changing landscape of military communication. The conversation highlights the importance of accountability, transparency, and credible voices in media, as well as the collaborative nature of modern information sharing. They also look ahead to future projects and initiatives in the realm of military and national security communication.

Takeaways

• The Midrats podcast has been a consistent platform for naval discussions for 15 years.
• The evolution of information access has transformed national security discourse.
• Public Affairs Officers have become more cautious in their engagement with the media.
• The military's communication strategies have shifted significantly over the years.
• Accountability and transparency are essential for maintaining public trust in the military.
• A culture of untruth can undermine the credibility of official statements.
• Independent media sources are increasingly important for accurate information.
• Collaboration among information producers enhances the quality of discourse.
• Future initiatives in military communication will focus on transparency and engagement.

Sound Bites

• "It's amazing how fast time flies."
• "This is the C-SPAN for the Navy."
• "The future is disaggregated."

Chapters

00:00: Celebrating 15 Years of Midrats Podcast
02:16: The Evolution of Naval Information
06:28: Democratization of Media and Its Impacts
14:54: The Changing Role of Public Affairs in the Navy
27:11: Navigating a Culture of Untruth in Media
32:48: Independence in Media: The Value of Non-Sponsorship
35:31: The Role of Personalities in Information Dissemination
37:59: The Importance of Open Dialogue and Accountability
42:01: Self-Correction in New Media
44:48: The Credibility of Online Sources
47:40: The Future of Media and Influence
55:25: Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors