Media as National Citizen

Media as National Citizen, for Better or Worse

Rally in support of military efforts in Iraq

Thousands of union workers bearing American flags rally in support of U.S. military efforts in Iraq in 2003. Carpenters, electricians and firefighters chanted "USA! USA!" as labor leaders and politicians addressed the crowd, which stretched for several blocks north from the World Trade Center site. (AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

In this issue of Communication and International Relations we explore one of the most fundamental roles the media play in the context of international affairs: that of being a national citizen.

The media play a host of critical roles in international relations beyond just informing citizens about world events. They can help a diverse nation cultivate a common identity by promoting shared values and history. Paradoxically, the media can also be used as a tool of war, mobilizing the public against an enemy.

The articles in this issue, written by the students in Communications and International Relations (COM321/POLS330), reflect on the actions of U.S. media in this role of national citizen — for better or for worse.

We hope you enjoy our work.

Did you know...

Afghan children

Afghan children show propaganda leaflets which are thought to have been recently disseminated by U.S. aircraft. The leaflet at center shows a Taliban man beating a woman, with a caption reading "Do you want your wife to live like this?" (AP Photo/Marco Di Lauro)

PSYOPS in Afghanistan

By Lea Sherman

Just months after the United States went to war with Afghanistan, American military planes dropped leaflets into the country that depicted Osama bin Laden in Western-style clothing. Their goal was to lead Al-Qaeda fighters into believing that their leader had betrayed them. These leaflets offer just one example of the psychological operations, or PSYOPS, used by governments to demoralize the enemy and to “win hearts and minds” during times of crisis.