BLOG 1: Media & War

February 6, 2009 cindymendes
Tags: Americans, media, Vietnam, war

It is not surprising that our school curriculum not only ignores the Western world’s atrocities, but minimizes and sometimes glorifies them propelling an image of a kind and generous United States versus the primitive and insane Others. In the book Media Literacy, Chomsky argued for global justice and sheds light on several government funded power wars providing us with insight into the reality of the U.S. empire and the media sphere that continue to support it. There are dominant power groups that are formed around race, class, gender and sexuality that all attempt to establish a supremacy over the country which was considered to be lost after the Civil Rights Movement. In what some call the Vietnam Syndrome, many Americans have become wary of fighting wars to gain political, economical and geopolitical advantages and instead have a passion for anti war movements.

Despite this new found desire for peace, Iraq was still invaded in 2003 with the majority of its citizens supporting the Bush administration’s decision. How? Through the use of various types of media, an ideological climate was created both internally as well as abroad which supported the idea of the U.S. as a benevolent power, allowing them to transfer billions of dollars from the poorest countries to the wealthiest officials of the richest countries. Chomsky stated it best when he said, “what right do we have to decide what should happen to other people? Is it because we are so magnificent? Did we have some God given right to determine the fate of the world?”

The most important fact to consider is the lack of public discussion regarding the pre emptive strike in 2003 on Iraq. This can be allotted to the media’s failure to further investigate the false and misguiding claims made about Iraq’s connection to al-Qaida and the possible dangers it would have to the U.S. The media is such a powerful and influential tool that can be put to good or bad use. Do CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC or ABC have no responsibilities? No ethics when it comes to proper journalism? As the American death toll rose, and continues to do so even now, the media is slowly backing away from the war glorification and quickly pointing the finger to the very same people they once supported. What I believe to be the most disconcerting, is that what concerns Americans is not the fact that huge amounts of people have been killed, but the fact that America is not winning.

I very much support all of Chomsky’s ideologies regarding the media and the American war, as well as support his arguments. From my very own personal experience, I have found that our own educational institutions, the very ones that are intended to foster critical thinking, perpetrate a prejudice attitude based on the preconception of the all knowing and good Western World. They cultivate these attitudes by hiding or minimizing our very own contributions to mass destruction. For example, I remember learning about the colonization of America and never once did my history teacher mention the destruction of the entire Indian nation. When it was brought up, by a student I might add, it was quickly dismissed and trivialized. Look at how the Bush administration used the media to weed out any negative opinions regarding the Iraqi war. The Dixie Chicks spoke out against the war, and immediately Bush perpetrated this idea of unity and pride, using print, radio and television media to regain control over the population and filter out the band.

The media is an incredibly potent tool that can be used for many things. It is crucial that those in controlling positions use it responsibly however, it is also critical that parents, teachers and authoritative individuals teach children how to think critically and evaluate the messages being said rather than to passively accept whatever is being said. This is what media classes are vital in any and all curriculums.

Entry Filed under: Lies Through Media

3 Comments Add your own

• 1. Els  |  February 23, 2009 at 4:58 pm

  I agree, media is a powerful tool and so education through media classes is important.i aslo agree with you that it is vital that children should be taught to think critically and not just accept all information delivered to them hands down.

• 2. Jessica  |  February 23, 2009 at 5:45 pm

  this is really interesting and has really shown me a different side to this concept..

• 3. Melissa  |  March 1, 2009 at 8:24 pm

  As to not become too political or start ranting about my extreme dislike for the Bush administration, I think the media plays a huge part in public perception, good or bad. I think that this is a very interesting and well written article. Good Job!

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