War Reporting: From Newsreels to Real-time War

The role of the journalist, the purpose of the information disclosed and the immediacy of news have not always been the same: During the II World War the most common information approach was the propagandistic newsreel format. Then with the Vietnam War the critical role of the media and the power of TV to inform and act as a Government watchdog was revealed. After that, with the Gulf War live news became a possibility with 24 hours of live content without previous journalist edition. And now, thanks to new Internet devices a new stage on war reporting has also arisen, the idea of immediacy, real-time information and citizen journalism has become a reality. Revising the role of communication media in specific Wars we will be able to understand the current nature and transformation of communication media:

      THE II WORLD WAR:

Newsreels were tools of the Government; they framed the reality in a polarized way. As Roader explains[1] those kind of audiovisual “news” were looking for the engagement of the society using a one-side, subjective and partial tone. Before the arrival of television newsreels were the only source of visual news reporting. The lack of competence made easier their manipulation goal. As we can see in the newsreel December 7^th Pearl Harbor newsreels during this time followed clear political purposes: “The heroes we lost”.
THE VIETNAM WAR:

Media started off in mouthpiece mode and became much more critical as the war dragged on. After 1968, media were critical of American military action in the region. In consequence, audiences began to turn against the war.[2]

Media free access to the battlefield made possible for firrst time showing images of cruelty practices of the American Army against Vietnam people. Shocking images, and videos changed the American public opinion and politics, looking for a negotiated solution. The power of media in general, and specifically the power of television, as the Government´s watchdog became evident during the Vietnam War.

      THE GULF WAR

The Gulf War created another stage in the history of War reporting. During the Vietnam War American people trusted on TV images, however those images were edited and recorded. Nevertheless in The Gulf War, which is known as the first Information War, information was broadcasted 24/7 (24 hours per day, every day) all around the world.[3] CNN live recordings changed the way in which conflicts and wars were covered. The traditional gatekeeper role of journalists and the editorial control over content disappeared. It was the first big story where cable news on TV transmitted content the same day and the same moment it was happening.

      THE ARAB SPRING

A study made by the Dubai School of Government called “Civil Movements: The Impact of Facebook and Twitter” (2011) demonstrated that Government´s censorship in many Arab countries (as Egypt blackout in January and February, or Libya´s one in April) was not a main obstacle for the citizen participation and mobilization.During 2011 in Tunisia the 86,77% of the activities on Facebook were done in order to: Organize actions and manage activists, spread information to the world about the movement and raise awareness inside the country. However only the 13,22% of Tunisians used Facebook for entertainment and social uses.

The Arab Spring was the evidence showing the revolution created in the world of communication. Citizen journalism became a reality not anymore a utopia. Social mobilization was not done by powerful elites, but by normal citizens claiming their rights.

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[1] Roeder, George H., Jr. The Censored War: American Visual Experience During World War Two. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993. Print.
[2] Ch7 on the Media, by Debbie Lisle. (2009)
[3] Ch7 on the Media, by Debbie Lisle. (2009)