Speech paper. Media coverage of wars in the Middle East

Today it is not a secret that the influence of media on people’s thoughts and opinion is great, in fact it just rules our thoughts and make us think in certain direction.
But in some cases the media coverage of certain events, situations influences not only audience’s mind’s, but can practically rule the situation. It is a proved fact, that speech battles in media have great influence, and sometimes can cause conflicts, even in global aspect. Media is sometimes called “the fourth branch of government”, because it has so much power and influence. It plays both social and political roles, but sometimes even historical role when it covers the questions of international importance.
Today I would like to speak about the media coverage of the war in Iraq. Some people say that media played such an important role, that it could both start and finish the war. So the question is: what’s the role of media in the war? Could it really influence the international situation of historical importance?
So let’s see different aspects of the topic and discuss different ideas and viewpoints about it.

“Every American has the right to know the truth, to know what is actually happening in the war” – this is an opinion of most people regarding the role of media.
“Truth is First Casualty of War Reporting” says Les Payne in his article about the news and reports from Iraq.(Les Payne, 2005).
So the main idea of journalism is to say the truth, to reflect the news and situations as they really are. By watching, listening and then analyzing the information from media people can develop their own knowledge and opinion of the events. So why does so many people don’t believe the images, that are showed to us from mass media?
“The U.S. news media covered the war in Iraq the same way they cover the Olympics-with red, white, and blue trappings, human interest stories, bombastic theme music, and an almost total focus on American accomplishments at the expense of any international context. Around the clock coverage gave the illusion of telling and showing everything and made us forget how little we actually knew” says Henry Jenkins in his article. (Henry Jenkins, 2003).Speech paper
Was the reality shown like a screen play, like a documentary with a certain scenario? Here is some states that prove it:
– media coverage omitted the Iraqi historical and religious context of the conflict;
– embedded reporters showed only limited pictures of the war;
– the military intervention of the USA was shown as the only possible solution of the conflict;
– media didn’t show the anti-war movement;
– the analysis and protests about the war were rarely heard and seen in media;
– journalists didn’t say about the most damaged and the most injured areas of the battlefield
– journalists omitted speaking about the human suffering of Iraqi people that the war had brought.
This list of facts can be continued, but the conclusion is evident – American people could hardly know the real facts and real situation.
There is even an investigation made by “The New York Times”, that shows provocative facts. It is said, that officials from Pentagon met with journalists and news analysts and gave special kind of information that should have been said to people. Officials convinced to speak about the war in Iraq from good position only, to speak favorably in the address of American government only.
So it is understandable, that the media coverage was controlled and ruled by the government, in order to show the war from a good position, to support the war as a patriotic one. In fact, government and media just tried to manipulate people’s opinions.
In conclusion I want to say, that despite all the facts, media is a good informatory, and it’s influence and importance can’t be unevaluated.

Works cited:

Gal Beckеrman. “Arе Yоu Gоing tо Bеliеve “Imаgеs” оr Wоrds?” CJR Dаily, Mаrch 21, 2006.
Lеs Paynе. “Truth is First Cаsuаlty оf Wаr Reporting”. Newsdаy (Common Dreams), December 4, 2005.
Sonya Smith, “Mediа cоverаgе оf wаr in Irаq quеstiоned”. 49er Online (Cаlifоrnia State University), April 3, 2003.
Pеtеr Jоhnsоn. “Whо won, and whо lоst, in the media bаttle”. USA Todаy, April 13, 2003.
“Drilling Dоwn: Hоw thе prеss cаn kееp the debate about Iraq hоnest”. Editоrial, Cоlumbiа Jоurnаlism Review, Jаnuаry/Fеbruаry 2006.
Henry Jenkins. Technology Review. May 2, 2003.