SUMMARY OF SOURCES SOURCE A This article written by Jessie Kratz discusses how the "television war" referred to the Vietnam War because it covered historical context and the evolution of media in covering the realities of the conflict in America. The media in earlier wars focused on keeping positive morale and support for the war effort, on the other hand, the coverage in the Vietnam War was more realistic and often shown the harsh portrayal of combat. The sudden shift of media coverage had led to a divide amongst the American population, as well as the anti-war advocates who argued against whether the war was necessary and pro-war supporters felt strongly obligated to support the troops. The anti-war sentiments were strongly expressed in …show more content…
During the conflict, how the media portrayed the event played a significant role in moulding people perception as well as affecting the course of the war. The essay will include the extent of how the media influenced public opinion during the Vietnam War and how the media did not just cover/expose the harsher reality of the war but also how it contributed to anti-war protest in the America. The Vietnam War significantly changed how conflict was covered in the past because it gave journalists access to the frontlines. Previously, they controlled the information but since journalists in Vietnam could report in real-time, they brought images and stories of the war directly into American Television. This allowed the public to witness the brutality of the chaos firsthand, changing the narrative that was prompted by the government and the military. Additionally, the media exposed atrocities American soldiers committed during the war, such as the My Lai massacre in 1968. The images were graphic because reporters gave detailed reports of civilian deaths at the hands of U.S. soldiers, which shocked American citizens and fueled outrage. When the revelation of the nature of the Vietnam war was shown to the public, it eroded their trust in why the government justified it and further strengthened the anti-war movement which then led to widespread protests and demonstrations across the US. Furthermore, when the media covered the Vietnam war initially, the support for the war was high because many Americans believed in containing communism. However, as the war continued so did the casualties and the reporting by journalists emphasized the futility and human cost of the conflict. This contributed to the shift in public opinion and influenced protest, showing a growing majority of Americans question the reason behind the war and