International Conflict and the Media

ACTIVITY 16: Communication Technology and Media

Introduction

Two unique characteristics of the media's coverage of the Gulf War were the importance of newcommunication technologies and the significant impact of television on the formation of opinionsabout the war. This activity examines the changes in communication technology during the pastfifteen years and the shifts that occurred for viewers in America. It explores some of the strengthsand weaknesses of television, which was extremely influential during the Gulf War.

Student Objectives

• To examine the role of changing communication technology and what influence it has on publicopinion.
• To examine the role of television in influencing opinions about conflict.
• To examine the particular problems confronting the press and media in Saudi Arabia.

Time

1-3 class periods

Materials

Copies of Readings 16A and 16B for each student

Recommended Procedures

1. Distribute Reading 16A to the students. After they have read it, ask them to consider:

What was the importance of communication technology in the Gulf War?

Why was CNN catapulted into a position of "news leader?"

How did television affect the Gulf War?

2. Distribute Reading 16B. After the students have read it, ask them:

Why does television play such an important role in forming opinions of Americans?

What are the problems with television as a medium for news as compared with newspapers,radio, news magazines, etc.?

What are the strengths and weakness of television as a medium for news?

Extending the Lesson

1. Pick an international incident that will likely be covered on television news. Assign the studentsto watch (and if possible to record) CNN Headline News, CBS, ABC, NBC, PBS and, whereavailable, ITN World News. Some students should time the broadcast coverage; some shouldexamine the film footage used to cover the incident; some should record the script.
2. Ask the students to report on how each news program presented the story on a particular day.
3. Compare these broadcasts:

What was left out and what was common about each broadcast?

How did each program present the issue?

Compare these broadcasts with newspapers published the following morning.

Return to the Contents page for International Conflict and the Media.

Go to Activity 17.

Go to the Bibliography.