A journalist is basically a chronicler of events as they unfold. In the process he/she makes the first draft of history, which history may come to the use of a professional historian to record the events objectively and bequeath to the future generations. New technologies have made journalist’s task easy but the rise of media empires and the subsequent formation of culture industries have made his/her job complex at the same time. Since media empires or cultural industries are primarily driven by profit motive and a desire to set the agenda – economic, political, social, cultural, etc., - journalists come under increasing pressures to compromise objectivity and truth. Accordingly at times the mediated history that is produced in the newsroom is a distorted version of reality out there. This is especially so in times of conflict and war. Some media critics goes on to the extent of saying that media is also a maker of war. Media assumes the self-appointed role of actors or agents in the events and processes which they purport only to be reporting. To that extent the media themselves have had an impact on the course of historical events, and been a significant ingredient in their development. This becomes evident when one considers carefully the major historical events of the twentieth and early twenty-first century.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract.
- Introduction
- The Power of the Media
- Media and World War I (1914-18)
- Media and the Rise of Fascism.
- Media and the 'Cold War'
- Media and the 'Fall' of Berlin Wall..
- Media and the Rise of Nationalism and Xenophobia
- Media and the War in the Balkans (Kosovo)
- Media and 9/11, 'War on Terrorism' and 'Anticipatory Pre-emption'......
- Conclusion.
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the role of mass media in shaping historical events throughout the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, focusing on the impact of media on major historical events and the ways in which media can distort or manipulate historical narratives.
- The power of the media to influence public opinion and set agendas.
- The impact of media on historical events, particularly in times of conflict.
- The ways in which media can distort or manipulate historical narratives.
- The role of market forces and ideology in shaping media coverage.
- The ethical considerations surrounding journalistic practices.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of "mediated history" and argues that journalists play a crucial role in shaping historical narratives. It discusses the dual functions of media as a mirror of society and an agenda-setter, highlighting the potential for distortion and manipulation in the process.
- The Power of the Media: This chapter delves into the power of the media, particularly in the late twentieth century, when media corporations gained significant influence. It discusses how media corporations can manipulate language and discourse to serve their own interests, potentially distorting public understanding of events.
- Media and World War I (1914-18): This chapter examines the role of media in World War I, arguing that journalists propagated lies and distortions to make the war seem acceptable to the public. It discusses how media manipulation contributed to the continuation of the war and the loss of millions of lives.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the relationship between mass media, history, and the construction of historical narratives. Key terms include media, history, mediated history, journalist, agenda setting, and the role of market forces and ideology in shaping media coverage.
- Quote paper
- Prof. Francis Arackal Thummy (Author), 2020, Mass Mediated History. Media and the Rise of Nationalism and Xenophobia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/513239
