“It’s the value of fairness which is extremely important. It’s the ethic of restraining your own biases which is also important… It’s the idea that journalism can’t be the voice of any particular party or sect.”
This is only one of numerous definitions of the term 'objectivity' which will be the main theme of this thesis paper. The following text will deal with the concept of 'objectivity' and its relation and effects towards journalism and media. It will especially concentrate on 'objectivity' in regards to war and conflict by analyzing the link of 'objectivity' and 'subjectivity' to two photographs taken during the Russo-Georgian conflict of 2008. First the thesis will present 'objectivity' as a concept in general and why it plays an important role and is often discussed in the field of journalism. Subsequently the two photographs will be introduced shortly and examined focusing on how far 'objectivity' can be transferred or not to those two contrasting photographs. The conclusion will sum up the results of this analysis.
Table of Contents
1. Objectivity in journalism and war
1.1 I. Introduction
1.2 II. 'Objectivity' in journalism and media
1.3 III. Analysis of two photographs in regards to 'Objectivity'
1.4 IV. Conclusion
2. The shifts of media's relation to war
2.1 I. Introduction
2.2 II. The shifts of media's relation to war and its effects illustrated by two examples
2.3 III. Conclusion
Research Objective and Topics
This thesis examines the concept of objectivity within journalism, specifically focusing on how media representations of war and conflict are influenced by subjective perspectives. The research explores the inherent tension between professional journalistic standards of neutral reporting and the inevitable subjective framing of events through both photographic analysis and historical shifts in war reporting.
- The theoretical definition and challenges of 'objectivity' in contemporary journalism.
- Visual framing and the influence of cultural perspectives on interpreting conflict imagery.
- The evolution of the media's role in reporting from the 19th-century conflicts to the war on terror.
- The impact of globalized information networks and 'diffused war' on traditional propaganda efficiency.
- The ethical dilemma of war reporters between documenting facts and evoking emotional engagement.
Excerpt from the Book
III. Analysis of two photographs in regards to 'Objectivity'
The two photographs presented in the following are both taken from the Russo-Georgian War lasting from 8. until 12. August of 2008. The conflict arose in South-Ossetia and Abkhazia, both areas characterized by a highly amount of diverse ethnic groups. Secessionist movements in South-Ossetia and Abkhazia supported by the Russian government claim independence from Georgia since the demise of the USSR, while Georgia demands the territory for itself. In the summer of 2008 the tension in these areas - despite the fact that Russian and Georgian peacekeeping troops are stationed there – escalated with the result that Georgia launched a military offense, but was quickly defeated by the overwhelming Russian army. So the point is that in fact Georgia was the aggressor in this conflict which will be important for the analysis further down.
The first photograph being portrayed is made by an unknown photographer whose picture was published in the Texarkana Gazette on the 19th of August 2008. On the black-and-white photograph one can see Russian soldiers sitting on their tank and relaxing. They do not look stressed and it does not seem as if they are going to be operating in the next time. By just watching the picture one cannot notice the circumstances and situation in which the picture was taken, one can just assume. But by reading the commentary put there by the author of the article of the newspaper the opinion of the spectator is influenced in a decisive way. The text says:”Russian soldiers travel on an armored personnel carrier Saturday after troops looted part of the Black Sea port of Poti, western Georgia.” By considering that this newspaper is American and even more significant a Texas one, it is not too difficult to figure out that the text beyond the photograph tries to give the Russian army a negative connotation and maintain the -in the Western world and especially the USA- wide-spread image of the Russian soldier as a brutal and plundering evil man.
Summary of Chapters
Objectivity in journalism and war: This introductory section establishes the foundational tension between the journalistic ideal of fairness and the reality of subjective reporting through the lens of the 2008 Russo-Georgian conflict.
I. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on how 'objectivity' is perceived and challenged within the context of reporting war and conflict.
II. 'Objectivity' in journalism and media: Explores the historical debate on objective reporting versus economic and journalistic motivations, including modern trends like the 'journalism of attachment'.
III. Analysis of two photographs in regards to 'Objectivity': Analyzes how commentary and cultural perspectives influence the interpretation of war photography using two specific examples.
IV. Conclusion: Summarizes that while complete objectivity is often unattainable, journalists must balance the duty to inform with the awareness of their own inherent perspectives.
The shifts of media's relation to war: Examines how historical developments and globalization have changed the landscape of conflict reporting and the efficacy of traditional propaganda.
I. Introduction: Introduces the thematic progression from total wars of the 20th century to the contemporary landscape of media coverage in the digital age.
II. The shifts of media's relation to war and its effects illustrated by two examples: Discusses the evolution of war reporting from the Crimean War and WWI to the contemporary 'diffused war' and the impact of new media technologies.
III. Conclusion: Concludes that the rise of global information access has rendered traditional, state-controlled propaganda less efficient than in previous decades.
Keywords
Objectivity, Journalism, Media, War reporting, Russo-Georgian conflict, Subjectivity, Framing, Propaganda, Diffused war, Globalization, Information flow, Ethics, Visual rhetoric, Conflict zones, News values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the concept of 'objectivity' within journalism, particularly investigating how media outlets represent war and conflict and whether total neutrality is possible in professional reporting.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The study covers the definition of objectivity, the role of photojournalism in shaping public opinion, the historical evolution of war reporting, and the impact of digital globalization on the dissemination of conflict information.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The work investigates the feasibility of objective reporting in the face of political and cultural biases, questioning if it is a journalist's duty to merely report facts or to actively engage the audience's attention.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes qualitative analysis, specifically examining visual media (photographs) alongside historical comparisons and media theory to demonstrate the ambiguity of the objectivity concept.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body analyzes the tension between facts and interpretation, the specific influence of news organization hierarchies, and the shift from traditional warfare media narratives to the 'diffused war' model.
Which keywords best characterize the research?
Key terms include objectivity, subjectivity, war reporting, media bias, diffused war, globalization, and journalistic ethics.
How does the author define the 'diffused war' concept?
The author references the concept to describe how new technologies and globalization have made conflicts more intransparent, leading to complex interactions between causes and effects that challenge traditional reporting.
What is the conclusion regarding the photographer's role in the Russo-Georgian conflict?
The conclusion suggests that while photographers may intend to be objective, they are inherently influenced by their own worldviews, cultural backgrounds, and the specific narratives chosen for publication.
Why is the comparison between WWI and the 'War on Terror' significant?
It highlights the shift from centralized, state-controlled propaganda to a fragmented, globalized digital environment where traditional news control is significantly harder for governments to maintain.
- Quote paper
- Dennis Schmidt (Author), 2013, Media and objectivity and their relation and effects towards war, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/295910
