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'
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to explore the significant role mass media plays in shaping historical narratives, particularly focusing on major events of the 20th and early 21st centuries. It examines how media, through its dual functions of mirroring society and setting agendas, can both accurately reflect events and, conversely, distort reality for various reasons, including economic and political pressures.
- The power dynamics between media, political entities, and economic interests.
- The manipulation of information and the creation of "mediated history."
- The impact of media on public perception and the shaping of historical events.
- The ethical responsibilities of journalists in reporting historical events.
- The consequences of biased or misleading media narratives.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of the journalist as a "primary historian," whose initial reporting forms the "first draft of history." It emphasizes the interplay between newstoriography and historiography, highlighting how the credibility of news directly influences historical narratives. The chapter also introduces the crucial concept of SIDE (Selection, Interpretation, Distortion, and Emphasis), which shapes how events are recorded and subsequently perceived, ultimately influencing the creation of mediated history. The dual functions of media – mirroring society and setting agendas – are established as central themes for the subsequent analysis.
The Power of the Media: This chapter delves into the immense power of mass media, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century, where it evolved into a cultural industry. The commercialization of media is identified as a root cause of widespread distortion and manipulation. The chapter draws upon the works of Herman and Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent" and Pierre Bourdieu's critique of television's power to shape public perception and potentially undermine democracy. It highlights how media utilizes language as a tool of power, manipulating concepts to serve specific agendas. Pilger's analysis of Rupert Murdoch's media empire is referenced as an example of the manipulation of facts and language to shape public opinion.
Media and World War I (1914-18): This chapter focuses on how media during World War I disseminated falsehoods to make the war's atrocities palatable to the public. It cites John Pilger's assertion that lies changed history and cost millions of lives. Karl Kraus's work is referenced as a powerful critique of the media's role in disseminating propaganda and presenting a distorted narrative of the war, exposing the interplay of economic, political, and journalistic interests that fuelled the war effort. The chapter underscores the long-term structural function of the press in shaping public opinion.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Media, History, Mediated History, Journalism, Agenda-setting, Propaganda, World War I, Mass Media, Cultural Industry, Power, Distortion, Manipulation, Objectivity, Ethical Responsibility.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a text exploring the significant role mass media plays in shaping historical narratives, particularly focusing on major events of the 20th and early 21st centuries. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the text?
The text examines how media, through its dual functions of mirroring society and setting agendas, can both accurately reflect events and distort reality. Key topics include the power dynamics between media, political entities, and economic interests; the manipulation of information and the creation of "mediated history"; the impact of media on public perception and the shaping of historical events; the ethical responsibilities of journalists; and the consequences of biased or misleading media narratives. Specific historical events analyzed include World War I, the rise of Fascism, the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Balkan Wars (Kosovo), and 9/11 and the "War on Terrorism."
What is the main argument or thesis of the text?
The main argument centers on the profound influence of mass media on historical understanding. It argues that media's dual role – reflecting society and shaping agendas – can lead to both accurate and distorted historical accounts, often influenced by economic and political pressures. The text highlights the responsibility of journalists in accurate reporting and the consequences of biased narratives.
What key concepts are discussed?
Key concepts include mediated history, agenda-setting, propaganda, the cultural industry, the power dynamics within media, distortion and manipulation of information, objectivity in journalism, and ethical responsibility.
What are the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the journalist as a "primary historian" and introduces the SIDE model (Selection, Interpretation, Distortion, and Emphasis) to analyze media's influence. The chapter on "The Power of the Media" explores its immense power, particularly its commercialization and potential for manipulation, referencing works by Herman and Chomsky and Pierre Bourdieu. The chapter on "Media and World War I" focuses on the dissemination of falsehoods and propaganda during the war, citing the works of John Pilger and Karl Kraus. Further chapters explore the media's role in other significant historical events.
What are the objectives of the text?
The text aims to explore the significant role mass media plays in shaping historical narratives, focusing on how media can both accurately reflect events and distort reality due to economic and political pressures. It also aims to analyze the power dynamics within media and the ethical responsibilities of journalists in reporting historical events.
Who are some of the authors or theorists referenced in the text?
The text references the works of Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky ("Manufacturing Consent"), Pierre Bourdieu, John Pilger, and Karl Kraus.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Media, History, Mediated History, Journalism, Agenda-setting, Propaganda, World War I, Mass Media, Cultural Industry, Power, Distortion, Manipulation, Objectivity, Ethical Responsibility.
What is the overall tone and approach of the text?
The tone is academic and analytical, employing a structured approach to examine the complex relationship between media and historical narratives. It uses specific historical examples to illustrate its arguments.
For whom is this text intended?
This text is intended for academic use, supporting analysis of themes in a structured and professional manner.
- 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
