With the onset of the war in Iran, many people have expressed concerns about media censorship. Although it is a pressing issue for the nation, there has not been as much national coverage about what is actually happening in the Middle East or how the United States has really been involved. This is due, in large part, to the censorship of the atrocities from both sides of the conflict. Iran, for one, has set in place very strict laws and rules about what information can leave the nation. Across the gulf, there have been over 300 arrests of people for filming videos and spreading “misleading” information.
The United States has made similar efforts to decrease the coverage of this conflict. One way that wars are often documented is through satellite imagery. Initially, Planet, a satellite provider, had a two week delay before images taken of the Middle East would be shared with the rest of the world. However, recently they have stated they will no longer share any photos of the area, saying, “The U.S. government has requested all satellite imagery providers voluntarily implement an indefinite withhold of imagery in the designated Area of Interest.”
In addition, the media’s relationship with the United States Government has grown increasingly tense over the past few months. In September of 2025, Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary, announced that journalists would have to sign a pledge stating they would not obtain or report unauthorized information, even if that information was not classified. If they did not agree to do so, they would lose their access to the Pentagon. After many news networks walked out and refused to sign this pledge, a federal judge found these restrictions unconstitutional, but some restrictions remain in place.
With the already weak relationship between the media and the government, the lack of satellite footage and coverage from the Middle East has made it increasingly difficult for the American public to understand the conflict. “I feel like the coverage has been nothing about the actual war. It’s only been focused on the politics of what it means for Trump rather than the actual impact, and that feels very intentional” says Ethan McIntyre ’27.
