Press & War

Today, we hear a quick ding or feel a vibrating buzz coming from our pockets and we are all rapidly altered about what is going on in the war between Russia and Ukraine. This quick alert directing us to Twitter was not introduced until very recently. It is very difficult in media to not find the press interjecting in war. What was once week long updates is now available in seconds. This is the only thing that has changed when it comes to Press and War. 

Control through Media

Propaganda consists of the planned use of any form of public of mass-produced communication designed to affect the minds and emotions of a given group for a specific purpose, whether military, economic, or political.

-Linebarger, Paul Myron Anthony

When looking back on past wars or even the one going on today, we try and decipher who is right and who is wrong. It seems simple to figure out with google searches or back then, posters, radio and reading newspapers because of propaganda. The press has flooded our information sources with different political cartoons and try to sway public opinions. The press uses strategic tactics to not only inform us but to also gatekeeper. The media has the power to choose what they want the world to know. It is a system of blockage. Not all of the truths are let out into the world only the ones media wants the world to know.

World War II

War reporting originated in 1939 during World War II. In the United States broadcast was covering the war in Europe starting in 1939. By 1941 the United States was facing conflict due to their involvement with reporting. Wartime journalists were a part of three different categories, the wire services, stringers and correspondents, and free lance writers. They were sent in uniform to war to report the truths but were not allowed to fight. They had the opportunity to interview soldiers and were able to use the press to give updates on the wars. This was the first time real journalists got to experience war in front of them and report about it.  

Vietnam War

The Vietnam war, in the 70's was one of the biggest controversial events in the eyes of president and war. This war started anti- war movements. It was also the first war on television due to the rise in technology and broadcast. This was the first time citizens were able to watch war from their homes. Journalists covering the war were put in danger. Many died and having it broadcasted showed. This was the first time people watched real causalities and the brutalities of war.