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Assess the role of the media in influencing American attitudes to the Vietnam War (Source K et al) - page 1
Keywords: gcse history coursework question five 5 source k vietnam war american attitude media
By exploiit on 19/06/2010
Level: GCSE Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)
Page Number: 1 of 3 pages: 1 2 3Source K is interesting in how it portrays American media at the time of the Vietnam War – instead of presenting television broadcasts as simple sources of information, they can be seen as tools used to taint the ideas of a mass audience (the American public). The authority of this media is dramatically described in the source, making clear the profound influence it had. In claiming that “overnight one T.V. correspondent with one cameraman could become as important as ten or twenty senators”, we begin to understand that what outlets decided to tailor into their transmissions would have a far greater impact on any American citizen than anything declared even by elected members of the Senate.
In source A, we see a major advantage of television broadcasts – both visual and audible material can be used in order to reach an audience. Much like with radio, the use of sound is the key component is demonstrating ideas and opinions. We are able to hear Johnson deliver each and every point in regards to the war confidently and with pride. He makes very sure to sound sympathetic to those negatively effected by the war, but also employs a determined state of mind in order to convince listeners that he will not fail. As well as this, the use of moving imagery is very functional. At the beginning of the video clip for example, viewers are bombarded with shots of the struggling and defenceless people in Vietnam, and the threat that they face. This imagery is used to persuade the audience that the Vietnamese are in desperate need of American assistance, and they should support Johnson’s policies in order to aid Vietnam.
Source B is in clear agreement with the opinion present in Source K – the writer believes that the media was used dishonestly and managed to manipulate the American public into conforming to what was reported. What was reported of course was opposition to the war in Vietnam. The writer argues that “too little attention” was offered to people in support of America’s efforts, and far too much emphasis was given to the “vocal … minority” who disagreed. As any media outlet’s main priority is to maximise profit (for shareholders, etc.), it was important to publish interesting pieces such as the controversial protests against the war. As these were published, people began to convert their opinions and many accepted that the war was
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