Executive Summary
Defense Media Engagement Program: professional public affairs capability with proactive information strategy. Components: media operations team (20 specialists), embedded journalist program, regular briefing schedule (weekly minimum), social media presence (daily content), commander media training, and crisis response protocols. Professional-quality video and content production. Target: weekly reach 500,000+, 80%+ public trust in military information, 50+ journalist relationships, 24-hour crisis response.
In short: 500,000+ weekly media reach; 80%+ public trust in military information; 50+ active journalist relationships
The Problem
Ukrainian information warfare success: President Zelensky's daily videos, military spokespersons on every platform, transparent casualty reporting, active journalist engagement. Result: 90%+ domestic support, massive international sympathy. Lithuanian defense media engagement: reactive, slow, bureaucratic—releases come days after events, spokesperson availability limited, journalist relationships underdeveloped. Russian disinformation fills vacuum. Modern warfare is fought in media as much as on battlefield. Population that trusts military information resists disinformation; population without trusted sources is vulnerable. Without professional media engagement, Russia wins information space before any shots fired.