In the United States of America the media is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law […] abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.” The media are institutions whose primary concern it is to produce and distribute all forms of knowledge, information and entertainment and encompass print media, television, radio and the internet. For the purposes of this paper, the focus shall be on television, as “television is undoubtedly the pre-eminent form of the media in the United States” and it is the medium of choice for Americans looking for information. In a democracy such as the United States of America, the media ought to report impartially and in a way to inform and engage the public. Public opinion is understood as a collective view of a given issue. Foreign policy shall be defined as the goals a state wants to attain abroad, the values that determine to those objectives, and the means or instruments used to pursue them.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- How far, if at all, do the media and public opinion influence US foreign and defence policy?
- Role of the media in politics
- Freedom of the media
- Media acting in different ways
- accelerant
- impediment
- agenda-setting agency
- Soft news v hard news
- Diplomacy
- CNN Effect
- Somalia and Rwanda
- The media in times of war
- First Amendment v Live Coverage
- Reliability of the media
- Crises
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to investigate the extent to which the media and public opinion influence US foreign and defense policy. It examines the complex relationship between the media, the government, and the military, particularly in the context of live war coverage and the so-called "CNN Effect."
- The role of the media in shaping public opinion regarding foreign policy.
- The impact of live media coverage on the speed and nature of policy decisions.
- The potential for the media to act as an impediment to effective foreign policy.
- The "CNN Effect" and its influence on US foreign policy interventions.
- The interplay between the First Amendment and the need for operational security in wartime.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory section lays out the central research question: How much influence do the media and public opinion exert on US foreign and defense policy? It establishes the context by highlighting the protection of the media under the First Amendment, defining key terms like "public opinion" and "foreign policy," and briefly outlining the debate surrounding the media's role in foreign policy decision-making, particularly in light of the Vietnam War and the "CNN Effect." The section sets the stage for a critical examination of the media's multifaceted influence on US foreign policy.
How far, if at all, do the media and public opinion influence US foreign and defence policy?: This chapter delves into the core argument of the paper, exploring the intricate relationship between the media, public opinion, and US foreign policy. It acknowledges the media's role as a watchdog, challenging governmental policies and acting as a link between the electorate and the government. The chapter highlights the media's significant influence on shaping public opinion through its agenda-setting function – deciding what information is considered newsworthy and, consequently, what issues the public focuses on. The role of the media in influencing public opinion is acknowledged but argued to be less direct than commonly believed. The primary function of the media is not to tell people what to think, but rather "what to think about". The chapter then shifts to analyzing the three primary roles the media plays in the formation of foreign policy: as an accelerant, an impediment, and an agenda-setting agency. This analysis will be crucial in assessing the extent of the media's influence on US foreign policy.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
US foreign policy, US defense policy, media influence, public opinion, CNN Effect, First Amendment, live war coverage, agenda-setting, operational security, Vietnam War, Somalia, public opinion, media framing.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview covers a paper investigating the extent to which media and public opinion influence US foreign and defense policy. It focuses on the complex interplay between the media, government, and military, particularly during wartime and in relation to the "CNN Effect."
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the media's role in shaping public opinion on foreign policy, the impact of live war coverage on policy decisions, the media's potential to hinder effective foreign policy, the influence of the "CNN Effect," and the balance between the First Amendment and operational security during wartime.
What is the structure of the language preview?
The preview provides a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It offers a concise overview of the paper's content, making it easy to understand the scope and arguments presented.
What is the "CNN Effect," and how is it relevant to this paper?
The "CNN Effect" refers to the impact of live, 24-hour news coverage on foreign policy decisions. This paper examines how this effect, particularly evident in events like the Somalia and Rwanda conflicts, potentially influences the speed and nature of US policy responses to international crises.
How does the paper address the role of the media in influencing foreign policy?
The paper analyzes three key roles the media plays: as an accelerant (speeding up policy changes), an impediment (hindering policy implementation), and an agenda-setting agency (influencing which issues receive public attention). It acknowledges the media's power to shape public opinion but argues its influence on policy is less direct than often assumed.
What is the significance of the First Amendment in the context of this paper?
The First Amendment's protection of freedom of the press is crucial. The paper explores the tension between this freedom and the need for operational security during wartime, particularly concerning live war coverage and the reliability of information disseminated by the media.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes summaries of the introduction and the main chapter. The introduction sets the stage by defining key terms and outlining the research question. The main chapter summary details the exploration of the relationship between media, public opinion, and US foreign policy, focusing on the media's multiple roles (accelerant, impediment, agenda-setter).
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Keywords include US foreign policy, US defense policy, media influence, public opinion, CNN Effect, First Amendment, live war coverage, agenda-setting, operational security, Vietnam War, Somalia, and media framing.
What is the overall goal of the paper?
The paper aims to investigate the extent to which the media and public opinion influence US foreign and defense policy decisions, offering a nuanced understanding of this complex relationship.
- Quote paper
- Carina Siegmund (Author), 2007, How far, if at all, do the media and public opinion influence US foreign and defence policy?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/118785
