Public Opinion and Impression Management in the Communication of Performance During the Second Iraq War.

This article examines how public opinion influences organizational transparency, specifically the disclosure of sensitive performance information during controversial actions. Using the second Iraq War as an empirical context, the study analyzes Pentagon spokespersons' press briefings from 2003 to 2006 to assess how public support affected the release and framing of war performance metrics. Findings indicate that higher public support increased the disclosure of sensitive combat information, while adversity (e.g., troop deaths, constrained resources) weakened this effect and spokespersons' power strengthened it. Additionally, when public support was low, officials were more likely to emphasize alternate performance frames highlighting progress (such as reconstruction efforts) to obfuscate sensitive combat outcomes. The study contributes to understanding the conditional role of public opinion in impression management and transparency, with implications for both government and large organizations facing public scrutiny.