Since it is hard to argue that the bloodshed necessarily strengthens public support for war making and since the modern attention span is ever shorter, a president benefits from brevity and bloodlessness. Presidents shouldn't obsess themselves in public over hostages. Unexpected events shown on television can have inordinate influence on the public's perception of a foreign crisis. This, for example, encourages military planners to avoid bombing churches, hospitals, and other civilian sites. When appearing on television during a crisis, a president and his high officials must be absolutely honest with the public.
Censorship can risk a damaging backlash.
During use of force, there is such a thing as too much military success. Vivid television pictures of violence against Iraqis could have damaged U.S. public support for the Gulf War. Television can help create an unexpected agenda, especially during the run-up or the endgame of a war. Presidents who fail to craft an implicit or explicit television strategy while dealing with a foreign crisis do so at their peril.