ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the issues of research into military phenomena and their representation using print newspapers. It discusses the methodological processes and practicalities in researching news print media texts. Digital database services, such as LexisNexis, own official archives and websites where print media content are stored, as do many newspapers. The digitalisation of the print media has opened up new research opportunities, but also new challenges with regards to how relevant data is located, collected and analysed. The aim of the military is to keep the reporters and public onside and any restrictions are justified in the name of security. A sound methodological grounding and evidence base is necessary to enable any persuasive conclusions regarding the new forms of militarism and militarisation to be drawn. The Ministry of Defence takes its media representation seriously and has a large media relations department, as do the three individual services constituting the British Armed Forces: the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
