Activity 6, The Press and the Military
Background to the Cold War and the Korean Conflict
During World War II, the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union had been allied against Germany, Italy and Japan. After the war, zones of military occupation were created in Europe and in Asia. In those areas occupied by Soviet military forces, Marxist-dominated governments were established. Western leaders viewed Soviet actions in eastern and central Europe with alarm. The United States, the United Kingdom and France opposed Soviet expansion, and the World War II alliance broke down, and a Cold War commenced between the Western powers and the Soviet Union. It heated up at particular points along the borders of the Soviet Empire, such as Berlin, which was then situated within East Germany, a communist state propped up by Soviet armies. The creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949 assisted in containing Soviet power in Europe. Ironically, Japan, Germany and Italy became our friends during the Cold War, and China and the Soviet Union, allies during World War II, became enemies.
In Asia, the political situation was more confusing. Mao Tse-tung, the leader of the Chinese Communist party, had begun a revolution against the nationalist Chinese government in the late 1920's. With Soviet help, the communists overthrew the nationalists during the late 1940's.
Korea was a Japanese colony prior to World War II. When Japan surrendered at the end of the war, Soviet troops entered Northern Korea to disarm Japanese soldiers north of the 38th parallel. In their zone of occupation, the Soviets proclaimed the Korean People's Republic. American troops occupied the Southern Korean peninsula. The Americans helped establish the Republic of Korea south of the 38th parallel. On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea and quickly overran most of the country. President Truman sent American military forces to repel the invasion. A few days later, resolutions supporting the defense of South Korea were approved by the United Nations Security Council. The military forces of many of America's allies joined in the conflict. After initial American military failures, the North Koreans were pushed back almost to the Chinese border. In December 1950, China sent its military forces into North Korea, sending the United Nation forces back down the peninsula. The war stalemated around the 38th parallel. The conflict ended in an armistice in 1953.
The Press in Korea
During the Korean Conflict, press censorship went through different stages. Censorship was voluntary until the Chinese Army entered the war. U.S. military commanders complained that correspondents had released information about troop movements, recovery of American prisoners from the Chinese and the use of a new combat airplane. Tougher restraints were imposed upon the press. All news stories were required to submit news reports and film to Army and Air Force censors. On March 13, 1951, all news stories and film were also required to be approved by censors in Japan. In January 1953, a Joint Field Press Censorship Group was created that approved all copy and film for transmission to American news media. The highest number of journalists accredited to cover the Korean War was 270.
Also during the Korean Conflict, film makers brought together the World War II conventions and
appended the Cold War ideological crusade against communism.
Television
Following experiments in the 1920's and 1930's, television burst on the scene in the late 1940's. Television had begun war coverage with the Korean war, relying largely on crude maps, approved footage flown in from Japan, and verbal accounts of the story. News organizations were largely uncritical of the war, but the war was rough going for the Americans. American casualties were not shown. Television showed that the struggle was against an Asian enemy who could be killed without guilt but whose numbers and fanaticism made him impossible to defeat. Although crude in its presentation, Korea was the first television war. However, despite widespread viewing, it did not have a particularly large impact upon public perceptions of the Korean War.
Student Questions
What roles did the press and media play during the Korean Conflict?
Did the press serve as a propaganda arm for the government and the military?
What role did communication technology play in the Korean Conflict?
How did the governments and the military enforce censorship and other restrictions on the press?
Return to Activity 6.
Go to the Contents page for International Conflict and the Media.
Go to the Bibliography.