Media's influence on United States foreign policy decisions

Media and United States Foreign Policy

Accounts of Involvement

The initial role of media was limited to the deliverance of news report, but with the passage of time and introduction of technologies, the media under went restructuring and a change in its policies and objectives were observed. The media has associated itself with its foremost task of covering the news report, and providing the complete insight to the viewers and readers. However the media has added more dimensions to its previous adopted work style. The media has involved the public opinion in the reporting process, and substantial weightage is given to the public opinion in terms of weekly or monthly polls on the topic of relevance and significance. All these activities have contributed towards reducing the spaces between the elected representative and the public. The foreign policies of United States are subject to heavy criticism and evaluation by the correspondents in front of the public, and the officials are requested to answer to all the reservations. The conduct of such activities of introduced an open medium of accountability where the foreign policies and related issues are subject to approval and criticism. The government is therefore under the pressure to modify the policies if it fails to receive appreciation from the media and public. However similarly, the media can act as an interface between the government and the public to gather support and win consensus, media can play convincing role to win support for the government provided that the government officials have done their homework.

There have been many instances in past when the government has shifted from its foreign principles much due to the involvement of the media, for government it is important to gain the trust of the media so that a positive public impression can be secured and achieved. The vents of Iraqi occupation and attacks on Afghanistan were carried forward with strong support and involvement of the media in the process of information gathering and intelligence activities. However there have been instances when the supported media has widely condemned the government for their inhumane and unlawful acts with relate prisoners, and refugees.

HOW HAS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONTRIBUTED TO SHAPING THE UNITED STATE'S INTERNATIONAL POLICES AND RELATIONS

MEDIA AND UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY

The United States foreign policy makers have been successful in interacting with the media in highly complex and synergetic way. The media company's have been rising, and have secured permanent place and influence over the different think tanks that are handling and monitoring the U.S. foreign policy. The media has expanded and developed into mighty force, which has successfully influenced the substance of American foreign policy and the process that formulates it. 'It has been said that the strength of this influence was powerful enough to have helped bring an end to American involvement in Vietnam, and was a significant factor in President Carter's failed bid for re-election by way of the November 1980 hostage crisis in Iran' (Media, Technology and United States Foreign Policy). Media channels have applied their resources in giving coverage to the dramatic images of starving masses, shelled populations, or dead American soldiers that resulted in the sharp reaction of the public for demanding change and shift of the foreign policy. According to the anonymous policy maker, 'these temporary emotional responses may conflict with the more considered judgment of foreign policy officials, forcing them to take action that will soon have to be reversed or modified'. However the influence of the media over the foreign policy has been discouraged and termed futile, 'if foreign policy decisions are made by popular whim, then there is no place, not only for myself, but for what have traditionally been regarded as the responsible deliberative organs of our government, in both executive and legislative branches' (George F. Kennan U.S. Troop in Somalia). The former secretary general of United Nations Boutros Ghali condemned the media influence over the policymakers of international powers, 'for the past two centuries, it was law that provided the source of authority for democracy. Today, law seems to be replaced by opinion as the source of authority, and the media serve as the arbiter of public opinion'.

The role of media can be categorized as, Catalyst; in this case the media reports reduce the policymaking process, giving officials minimum time for responding back quickly. Watchdog; if the executive branch policy is poorly articulated then the media reports focus on the U.S. public opinion, and mold the foreign policy accordingly. The media has played catalytic role by applying the latest technology for gathering coverage, the current media is in position to transmit graphic images almost instantaneously. The release of data that such quick rate to the public and international community has compelled the government to formulate instant decisions and policies, the traditional practices of policy making structures have lost their grounds. The government is forced to experience unavoidable, and this has resulted in government taking swift measures for shaping its foreign objectives with reference to any particular occurrence. The Real-time reports have forced the government officials to explain and sell their policies to the public in detail, and justifying each and every objective associated with it. The government has experienced a difficult situation due to the increasing momentum of the global mass media, the media has placed the American administration in dirty situation where the administrators have to explain the foreign policy and gather public support for it. The policy of the lawmakers has therefore been subject to modification according to the public wishes and media reports. However in the case of print media the policymakers have the allowance to frame events, and gather the public support accordingly. However if the government officials and policy makers are organized, straightforward and clear about the objectives and consequences of the policy, and are able to justify those convincingly, the media can be strong tool for gathering public support.

ACCOUNTS OF INVOLVEMENT

ABU-GHRAIB EPISODE

International Media played vital role when the United States was in search of enough evidence for launching military attacks against Iraq. The government was provided with accounts of significant importance and relevance related to the Sadam Hussein and his government. The media secretly photographed different installations that were alleged by the Security Council and United States as sites for nuclear weaponry and plants. The United States submitted all those references quoted by the media, and tried to convince the international community for conducting military operations against Iraqi regime. After the military attack was launched by the United States with the support of United Kingdom, Australia and other European States, it was media that provided the foreign military troops with sufficient geographical, social and political knowledge of the region. The media acted as an interface between the Iraqi people and the foreign troops.

However it was the same media which brought into highlight the brutalities committed by the soldiers of United States against the prisoners of war captivated during the military attacks in Abu Ghraib prisons. The American government reacted sharply over the footages released by the press showing American soldiers harassing and torturing the prisoners sexually, from there onwards the government modified its foreign policy and military strategy. Firstly the government of United States apologized for those indecent and insane practices, and public apology was made with the help of media. It was media which tried to build trust between the Iraqi people and the American government. In this episode the media was found playing dual roles, initially the same media created secret investigations to monitor the victimization of the prisoners, and later the same media was trying to assist the government in offering and publicizing their public apology. In actual media was playing its part without any vital interest except for bringing the truth to the reality. This vital episode although infuriated the Iraqi people, and from there onwards the series of violence continued, the media disturbed the equilibrium, and later tried to recover it by offering support to the government.

AL JAZEERA AND U.S.-AFGHANISTAN OPERATION

The United States launched military attacks against Afghanistan after the attacks on World Trade Center. The attacks were carried by Al-Qaeda with the support of Taliban regime, the ruling authority of Afghanistan. The American government was provided with sufficient evidences that established strong link between the involvement of the Al Qaeda in carrying forward the attacks, and the Taliban government support in this regard. The Media carried forward research and survey to analyze the Afghan society, and evaluated the political, social and economic conditions of the Afghan citizens. The media exchanged its conclusion with the government of the United States, 'Taliban are the forcible occupants of the country, and Afghan people are not truly with them' (Media Observers). This later assisted the American government for carrying forward their objective of removing the Taliban regime, and suppressing the terrorist activities being conducted by the Al-Qaeda in the name of 'Jihad' (Islamic practice of fighting).

The proper research and public survey carried by the media was of great help for the United States and its allies, the Afghan government crumbled within weeks, and people were found rejoicing the occasion. The American forces and NATO did not experience any major debacle, and the people supported the takeover. However the military expedition didn't end, and is still being fought. Media has played key role in acting as mediator between the American government and the Al Qaeda network, in many of the instances both the parties have come across each other through the active involvement of media correspondents and local landlords. Many pro-Al Qaeda individuals have negotiated and expressed their willingness to assist the United States forces in their struggle against the terrorist network. The country has shaped its foreign policy in accordance with the information and services offered by the media. The international Arab channel Al-Jazeera is regarded as has provided sufficient resource for the United States forces to combat the terrorist network, by locating their hideouts and military camps.