Self-discipline would seem to be the best approach by media people covering the war with Iraq.

The “embedding” of media people into the war in Iraq was destined from the outset to create controversies over fairness, propriety, accuracy, manipulation and objectivity. The issues will become sharper and more numerous as the combat operations wear on.

Seldom will a total picture emerge from spot coverage of combat, and seldom will everyone be pleased with the result. Military people fear media people overstepping the boundaries of security. Reporters are constantly worrying about management of their reports and activities.

Through it all, the No. 1 goal must be to avoid reports that jeopardize the lives of American personnel and vital operations.

There is so much more involved now with instant communications and televised reports being so extensive.

Originally, many were pleased with the fact that reporters would be given the chance to operate with the troops. Immediately there were complaints of mishandling from all corners — something that was certain to occur. There is no perfect wave in such a scenario.

For the most part, however, the embedded reporters have been doing a good job and have avoided politicizing what they are doing.

Columnist-TV personality Andy Rooney flew on bombing missions over Germany in World War II as a “Stars and Stripes” correspondent. He admits “embedding” can tinge a reporter’s judgment.

“It’s very difficult to write anything critical about a guy you’re going to have breakfast with the next morning,” says Rooney. “Ernie Pyle didn’t write any stories about cowards in World War II, even though there were some. I suspect in this war we’re going to get a lot of stories about heroes.”

But the veteran Rooney and many others conversant with war coverage agree that for the most part, the reporting and analyzing to date have been excellent.

War is ugly, bloody, a miserable way of “doing business.” We have not begun to see the kinds of terror and tragedy that can result in Iraq, for them and for us. It will get worse, much worse. We must be prepared for hard times in the communication department and we need to keep a perspective with the aid of many dispatches, federal and private.

We keep hearing from those who fear the war will be “sanitized” and “managed” to suit “the brass,” in battle and back in Washington. With so many reporters allowed into so many venues, it does not seem likely that will be a problem.

We have not begun to see the horrors of war we will keep getting on an instantaneous basis. It is ridiculous for anyone to contend the situation will be glamorized in most minds.

“America first” continues to have a good ring for millions. Though it can’t be the final filter, it is something overzealous war correspondents might keep in mind as they ponder the best ways to exercise needed self-discipline in their coverage.