This study suggests a new theoretical framework for analysis of the complex relationship between intelligence services and the media in liberal democracies. The media-intelligence relationship is inherently tense because one side always wishes to reveal what the other side wishes to conceal, highlighting the constant variance between two major principles: the public''s right to know versus the government''s duty to protect its nation''s security. Reconciling these two principles becomes exceedingly complex during situations of crisis where on the one hand both the media and the public demand to know what is happening and why, whereas on the other hand the intelligence services, in an effort to protect vital secrets, offer limited and often incomplete information. Reconciliation between these principles has become increasingly challenging during the information age with the proliferation of an abundance of new media easily accessible by new and growing audiences and actors. Existing research on this issue is limited and fragmented, partly because of the absence of adequate models and frameworks. This work attempts to fill the theoretical and methodological void. It offers a new experimental framework for analysis based on strategic communication from the perspective of intelligence services. It combines and integrates theories, models and approaches from several disciplines including communication, journalism, public relations, and intelligence studies. The framework suggests a detailed challenge–response matrix with applications to crisis and non-crisis situations. Analysis of the various components is illustrated by evidence from the experiences of several liberal democracies.
