For my research paper, I want to show how the media’s portrayal of the Vietnam War contributed to the United State’s defeat. Please discuss in great detail the following:
Throughout the war, the media had access to the battlefield, which allowed for them to show real-time coverage of the conflict. This coverage brought the horrors of war directly into American living rooms, leading to a growing anti-war sentiment among the American public. The media highlighted differences between government reports and the grim reality on the ground in Vietnam. Journalists reported on several unfortunate realities of the war such as the heavy casualties, atrocities, and civilian suffering, all of which contradicted the optimistic narrative the American government was trying to portray to citizens. This resulted in the public’s newfound mistrust in the government to handle the war abroad and also caused protests and opposition to the war to increase significantly. Additionally, the publication of the top-secret documents, the Pentagon Papers, those of which were leaked by political activist Daniel Ellsberg, revealed a pattern of government deception and manipulation of public opinion regarding the Vietnam War. The leaking of the Pentagon Papers further diminished the public’s trust and heightened opposition to the war effort. Furthermore, televised images of anti-war protests, such as the famous Kent State shootings, further divided the nation and fueled the anti-war movement. The media’s coverage of civil unrest and anti-war sentiment served to unite and mobilize opposition against the war. The media’s hard-hitting and critical reporting on the Vietnam War went against the government’s narrative and ultimately contributed to the United States’ defeat.
**NOTE**
Attach below are 4 sources that need to be used in the paper, and below this meesage are the remaining 2 source that also need to be used.
2 Sources
- https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2018/01/25/vietnam-the-first-television-war/
- https://www.mckendree.edu/academics/scholars/issue3/dahm.htm#:~:text=Evidence%20indicates%20the%20press%20is,to%20America’s%20policy%20in%20Vietnam.
Thank You