Mass Communications Final Project Xcom225

Final Project

Donna Bray

XCOM225

December 21, 2013

Charles Webster

Final Project

The majority of people have the tendency to accept and believe the facts, opinions, and stories that are presented to them via the mass media machine. Media influences the way that we think, our attitudes, perceptions and values. The coverage of the war in Vietnam is a prime example of the power of the media to influence the beliefs of the American public. Prior to Vietnam, the vast majority of Americans perceived prior military efforts as being honorable, and our military men and women were looked upon with respect and gratitude for their sacrifices for their country. Graphic video images of brutality outraged the American public. Stories of soldier’s use and abuse of drugs were many. Never before had the general public been able to witness such brutality in a manner that was so up close and personal. Isolated incidents of cruelty against women and children by small groups of violent American soldiers were reported to the public with huge dramatic headlines that influenced public opinion that not only was our government engaged in a war that they did not endorse, but also that many American soldiers were brutal and psychotic “baby killers.” While there had been a small amount of discontent among the public regarding prior wars, media coverage of the Vietnam War resulted in an explosion of anti-war protesting activities never before witnessed in our country. Not only were there a monumental number of war protests against the government jumping off on college campuses, sit ins, and marches on DC, our military men heroes were treated with distain, hatred, anger, and even spit upon by their fellow Americans once returning home from the war.

There have been countless debates on the unethical and inappropriate coverage of the Vietnam War by Mass Media. While there are many points that can be argued, when all is said and done, one must admit that the media played a huge role in...