---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I will say that the difference was that…"
description: "\"I will say that the difference was that when you're an Army journalist, as opposed to a civilian correspondent covering the military, you're very often..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/clarence-page-48102_army_i-will-say-that-the-difference-was-that_2247723.jpg"
---

#  I will say that the difference was that when you're an…

![“I will say that the difference was that when you're an Army journalist, as opposed to a civilian correspondent covering the military, you're very often either a public relations agent or expected to perform that role. I would say that one of the most unexpected benefits of that job was being…” quote by Clarence Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/clarence-page-48102_army_i-will-say-that-the-difference-was-that_2247723.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/clarence-page-48102_army_i-will-say-that-the-difference-was-that_2247723.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0d/clarence-page-48102_army_i-will-say-that-the-difference-was-that_2247723.jpg)

> “I will say that the difference was that when you're an Army journalist, as opposed to a civilian correspondent covering the military, you're very often either a public relations agent or expected to perform that role. I would say that one of the most unexpected benefits of that job was being taught to never try to cover anything up, but rather to get any bad information out right away, so that there would be nothing more to come out later. This was a wonderful lesson to be taught because often the effort to cover up a story becomes a bigger story than the original one.”

[Clarence Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-page/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Military journalists are expected to be transparent, avoiding cover‑ups, which prevents stories from escalating.

**In simple terms:** Being open prevents small lies from becoming big scandals.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize transparency over image.

Themes

journalism ethics transparency

Mood

serious instructive

Type

professional educational

When to use this quote

- newsrooms
- military reporting
- media training
- crisis communication

Key Concepts

public relations information flow accountability

Questions to Reflect On

- What challenges arise when truth threatens authority?
- How can journalists balance duty and honesty?

A Different Perspective

Pressure to protect institutional image may conflict with truth.

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