What effect does the media have on war?
Discussion
Do any of you believe that we would be as close to war with Iraq without the media sticking their uninformed noses into it all?
The media is a great propaganda tool for the unsuspecting Joe Public, and is the US/UK government using it so they can gain popularity? People quickly form an opinion, but we wouldn't know about it without the media.
I'm sure most of us know about the plight in the mid-east etc, but it's not shouted from the rooftops is it?
I'm not saying war wouldn't occur without the media, because Al-Queda's intentions are most certainly not about popularity, so they would still have a gripe, but...
Take the Washington sniper for example. He shoots one person, then another. Media bandwagon kick in with reports like, "He's not a sniper - he can't make head shots." Next killing is a head shot! So would so many people have died without media intervention and are they responsible, if so - how much so?
>>> Edited by schueymcfee on Saturday 21st December 21:10
>>> Edited by schueymcfee on Saturday 21st December 21:11
The media is a great propaganda tool for the unsuspecting Joe Public, and is the US/UK government using it so they can gain popularity? People quickly form an opinion, but we wouldn't know about it without the media.
I'm sure most of us know about the plight in the mid-east etc, but it's not shouted from the rooftops is it?
I'm not saying war wouldn't occur without the media, because Al-Queda's intentions are most certainly not about popularity, so they would still have a gripe, but...
Take the Washington sniper for example. He shoots one person, then another. Media bandwagon kick in with reports like, "He's not a sniper - he can't make head shots." Next killing is a head shot! So would so many people have died without media intervention and are they responsible, if so - how much so?
>>> Edited by schueymcfee on Saturday 21st December 21:10
>>> Edited by schueymcfee on Saturday 21st December 21:11
I think that the media has a valid place, how the masses work out what fed to them is often a mystery to me. Depends on your perspective. I don't read the papers anymore but watch the news on telly/web. It may affect my opinion but not the Gov that wants to shoot.
It also has to deal with what is fed to it, media that is.
It also has to deal with what is fed to it, media that is.
The problem with the media, that we all on ocacasion forget, is that it is not unbiased, it is not interested in the truth and exists only to make money -yes even the BBC, the Washington sniper was reported because it made headlines, therefore money, terrorist organisations make headlines - therefore people "buy" into the media to find out the "truth" thats how they spread the word - would you read a leaflet promoting a terrorist org, no - you just need to listen to the news they'll tell you what their (the terrosrist Org) aims are - It would not surprise me if we find out the Washington sniper killed more people becuase it made the press and the news worldwide.
As above stopped buying newspapers, stopped believing the BBC,ITV, can't trust any of them. they spout for their own interests only.
As above stopped buying newspapers, stopped believing the BBC,ITV, can't trust any of them. they spout for their own interests only.
I'm told that you ain't a Para unles you turn white when someone mentions 'Fan-dancing'.... 
Those in the media have 'jobs to do', just like the rest of us. If, to them, reporting 'sh1t happens' gets them noticed, earns them a promotion and gets them more money, they are going to do it.
Whether Government politics (and back-handers) enter into it is, of course, purely a matter for speculation...
But isn't is odd that Governments always seek to keep some form of control over any method of 'broadcasting' to the masses.... what are they afraid of, if they're doing their jobs properly?
Ian
Those in the media have 'jobs to do', just like the rest of us. If, to them, reporting 'sh1t happens' gets them noticed, earns them a promotion and gets them more money, they are going to do it.
Whether Government politics (and back-handers) enter into it is, of course, purely a matter for speculation...
But isn't is odd that Governments always seek to keep some form of control over any method of 'broadcasting' to the masses.... what are they afraid of, if they're doing their jobs properly?
Ian
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