From Newsreel to Real-Time War: How war coverage has changed (First part)

Along the History, the way to transmit what is happening in a warlike conflict has been changed. At first, newsreel was used to give information presented in a short documentary whose importance was shown in the first half of the 20^th century. This documentary started usually before a movie in the cinemas, and it was used to obtained money as donations and also to inform about the situation of the war. The shortage of the veracity was a problem to convince people of doing something. That’s why the government made it with a clear subjectivity and also they concealed the real position of the war.

Something similar was used in Spain to continue with Franco’s ideology. It was called NO-DO and I personally used as example of a newsreel because, apart of the ide to transmit a warlike conflict, the rest of the characteristics are very similar; they used to convince people, in cinemas (because it was one of the most relevant ways to inform until the appearance of television) and with a clear subjectivity.

The Vietnam war (1964-1975) was the first that used the new model to notify about a war; TV War. This war, between South of Vietnam against North of Vietnam, was the first time when it was showing the current situation, with less censure, and it reflected the surprise by the American when they saw films with airplanes flying, dropping bombs and troops on patrol (showed in the article written by Michael Mandelbaum). This controversial moment support the idea of the complicated transmission of wars (apart of the debilitated superiority of the country). Also the importance of the photography related to this war, where Nick Ut, from the Associated Press, has the main representation.

State’s Secret: Manhattan Project

The Manhattan Project was one of the most relevant investigations made in the History. It was exactly a research and afterwards, a development program carried by United States and also with the collaboration of United Kingdom and Canada. This investigation consists in a secret process to know how to make the atomic bomb during World War II.

It was declared an army charged in doing it, called Manhattan District. It started as a secret project with few participants, but in 1939 there were 130.000 working on it, with a huge cost of 2 billion of dollars. It was said that this money was destined to the production of weapons but the real fact is that over 90% of the cost was really destined to the factory and production of the fissionable materials. They found two different types of atomic bomb, three methods of uranium enrichment and also, it was built many reactors. It seems impossible to be unconscious of what was really happening. The ignorance of the World was described in the expectation about Hiroshima and its repercussions to North America in both ways; creating a huge situation of social instability and also, the fear to that country.

This relevant situation has been taken as a model about State’s secret and also for people, who have the restlessness of what’s really happening, showed in the latest revolutions or in the different conflictive moments such as wars. But even now, many means of media has decreased their cultural interest according to their sponsors, at the same time as the population has increasing a huge interest in the global situation. And to conclude, I have to add that I chose this topic and this information because it’s a clear example of how many times the mobilization of people only starts when something it’s too evident and how a Government (in this case) can hide a very dangerous situation. 

Romney saw his popularity when having only 15% of the votes counted, he was winning with the big figure of 42%

United States are living one of the most relevant moments of recent years; the elections. In 2008 we saw as American people made History with Obama’s victory for being the first black-man to govern that country. But the controversial government and the scarcity of the actual popularity of the democrat’s represent, has made the primary elections in the other party one of the most decisive actions.

Mitt Romney is one of the candidates to represent this party in the elections this year, and he is growing up, in the political aspect, related to the last victory in Nevada, where he won with a great difference with Newt Gingrich, the other candidate. His popularity was showed immediately, because of having only fifteen per cent of the votes counted, he was winning with the big figure of 42%. But not only they were presented to be the next president of United States (if Republican Party will win); Ron Paul was the third one most voted, followed by Rick Santorum.

The controversial actual government mentioned before, it is the main incentive to make another change in the American politic. As Romney said in Las Vegas, “Obama has no made anything for the citizens in Nevada”. Also, the unemployed situation, which is living that county, has been decisive for this victory, and it was used for the campaign with the slogan “Nevada believes”. Even last favourable result in Florida has allocated him in a best position.

It is a continuous fighting against the power, which was weakened after a sentence said in CNN Channel. He said, “I don’t mind on poor people” related to focus on the “common American citizen” but this controversial statement was criticized by the media and the Democrat Party because on the basic points in our economic situation is to be centred in people who are suffering.