Free Dissertations - Media Dissertations

The Original Novel, Called American Hero, Was Authored By Larry Beinhart. In ...

The original novel, called American Hero, was authored by Larry Beinhart.
In the movie version, the point is made that a great deal of what the public tends to believe as 'news' is highly dependent upon the 'spin', or twist, put on a situation by its media representation. The movie takes this point to an extreme: a 'fake' war is created, and the public is fully duped into believing this. The movie raises a number of crucial and disturbing issues about the unrestrained limits to which politicians will go to achieve their ends. When a scandal is broken loose, the possibility that the current President of the United States might lose his bid for re-election looms large. Enter Robert DeNiro, who plays what is called a 'fixer'-someone who is called upon when dire circumstances call for drastic measures. What follows next is an uncanny sequence of events that are eerily close to every-day life, as events are manipulated in such a way that the American public is completely duped into believing what DeNiro's character 'directs' them to believe.
The Need to 'Act Responsibly'
One of the important points that this film brings up is the responsibility of the media to present the news accurately. What, exactly, does it mean to 'act responsibly'? Many critics believe that members of the press, as well as film producers and directors, should do the utmost t keep audience members calm, while at the same time presenting the facts as accurately as possible. In other words, they should not misrepresent facts; neither should they gloss over them in order to present a 'rosy' reality, especially when that is as far from the truth as can be imagined. It is up to the members of the media to present the facts in a calm and reasonable manner.
For example, in an anxiety-ridden world, such as that which could be found in the wake of 9/11, media reports did little to ameliorate the anxiety of the people. As Waisbord points out, in the period after 9/11, ‘the media sounded alarm bells and conveyed despair' (Waisbord 2002: 211). There was no need for this additional anxiety. The media members are fully aware of the power they wield, and should act with appropriate levels of responsibility because of this. It is their responsibility as citizens of the world to conduct themselves sagely and calmly during periods of crisis. In fact, it can be argued that it is even more important for them to take it upon themselves to act responsibly during such critical periods of time. It is in the best interests, ultimately, of all of us.
Public Reaction to Rhetoric
People are beginning to react with less patience to rhetoric, which has become more dramaticand more recognizable. This is particularly clear in the alleged 'war against terror' that has been waged for far too long by the President of the United States, George W. Bush. The simple fact remains that there is no end in sight.

Order Now. It takes less than 2 minutes.

  1.  
  2.  
  1.  

Please note: The above dissertation snippet was written by a student and then submitted to us to display and help others. Thanks to all the students who have submitted their work to us.