Chapter 8: The Impact of Mass Communications

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Chapter Summary

The institution of the media is closely connected to the shaping and manipulating of public opinion. The news media acts as both a government watchdog and a source of information and analysis. They often "set the stage" for the mass public and public officials through interviews, stories, and special reports. Since the Vietnam War, the media have changed the way in which news about foreign policy gets to the public. The largest shift occurred from print news to video and electronic news, accompanied by a shift from hard to soft news.

News coverage of foreign policy is scattered, erratic, and often reactive. While television and cable news provide larger access and coverage, they also reduce the depth of coverage. Similarly, the media can now broadcast live from a foreign country or during a military conflict but then leave immediately following the broadcast. This paradox further complicates the media's role in U.S. foreign policy.

The news media's role in a democracy is often in conflict with the marketplace, as large media organizations and conglomerates are geared toward profits and ratings. These mixed goals present a number of obstacles and problems. Coverage of military conflicts, for instance, overshadows stories of other global policy issues, such as the environment and energy. Local stories often overshadow long-term problems overseas. The Internet and global news organizations are also primary and growing means for the public to receive information and voice opinions about foreign policy, bringing forth concerns about cyberterrorism and other disconnects.