War in the Past Years Media Has

War In the past years media has proved to be the essential teacher when it comes to the history of certain events. Other than word of mouth, the media has been the most influential tool in our daily lives. From morning newspapers, to the radio on the drive to work, to the new Time magazine in the mail, to the 6 o'clock news, media is everywhere. Like it or not, media influences people's ideals on an everyday basis.

Since media constitutes as the most influential teacher, you'd expect to hear all sides of the story, free from political bias, but this is rarely ever the case. On August 2nd, 1990, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent troops into and occupied the neighboring country of Kuwait. On November 8th, 1990, President George Bush announced the military offense at "Operation Desert Storm" and soon formed an international coalition to move Iraq out of Kuwait. On January 17th, (local Iraq time) 1991 Operation Desert Storm was in full effect as bombing begun over Iraq.

The following news bites are taken from the headlines of the U.S.A. today during the first days of the military conflict names Desert Storm. Wednesday, Jan. 16 Desert Storm begins at 7 p.m. EST (3 a.m. Jan. 17 in Iraq) with massive air and missile attacks on targets in Iraq, Kuwait. President Bush promises: "We will not fail." Thursday, Jan. 17 Iraqi President Saddam Hussein declares: "The great showdown has begun! The mother of all battles is under way." Iraqi Scud missiles strike Israel.

Scud fired at Saudi Arabia is downed by U.S. Patriot missile - first anti- missile fired in combat. Friday, Jan. 18 Amid retaliation speculation, President Bush says Israel has promised not to respond to Iraq's attack. Saturday, Jan. 19 At least three Scuds explode in Tel Aviv, Israel, injuring about 17. Israel vows to defend itself but refrains. United States rushes in Patriots, making Army crews first U.S. soldiers to defend Israel. U.S. troops raid oil platforms off Kuwait, capturing first Iraqi prisoners of war.

As soon as talk of war broke out, networks had anchors in Baghdad giving them the latest news from the capital city via the newest technology available, and the coverage was almost instantaneous, almost like the war. During Vietnam, news reels took time to develop and were sometimes sent out days after the event took place.

During the Gulf War, however, every cable news channel in the U.S.carried the latest news and information packed full of images, video, and fast sound bites, all in the place of perspective and analysis. Analysis and perspective was left for the magazines, and newspapers. During the initial hours of the war, coverage was limited in its focus to actual war events.

This was the first war in history which included laser guided "smart bombs." The media marveled over being able to watch from the virtual nose of the guided missile, and see it destroy buildings, bunkers and tanks. The Washington times carried upbeat stories regarding the governments early proclamations regarding the purpose, and direction of the conflict. One story carried the text of the announcement Marlin Fitzwater read to the press.

Another looked to compare this war to Vietnam, and found hope in declaring that this will not be a repeat of the Asian boondoggle. Locally, the paper sent reporters to Norfolk, VA, the location of one of the nations largest military staging grounds, who talked to local bar owners about their mood, along with hopes and prayers for the troops. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer added to the expected compliment of war news a story of pro and anti-war protesters clashing on the campus of PSU, a personality piece on Gen.

Norman Schwarzkopf, who pictured himself as a teddy bear turned into Grizzly at the rankling of Saddam Hussein. A third background piece reviewed the last 6 months history, a current events primer for those who wanted to review the reasons we had entered the conflict. By the second day, the obligatory war coverage was joined by more opinion and political coverage.

The papers seem careful to not take a position directly contrary to the war effort, but with smugness that only can be found in east coast journalism, these two papers began debating who the most charismatic TV talking head had been on the opening night of armed conflict.

A Washington Times article asked "TV talkers: Who did it best?" Another piece lit matches between the toes of democratic congressmen George Mitchell and Tom Foley, reminding them how difficult it would be in the days ahead to stay opposed to a popular president who is executing a popular war. Color and character articles also began to occupy more pages. An article considered how to talk to children about the war when it had become such a media dominant event.

Another article featured a review of the comments made by the First Tactical Fighter Wing commander, a unit based near Washington. Undoubtedly many of the Time's readership knew this soldier personally, and the paper sought to put a personal face on the conflict. The Philadelphia Enquirer also drifted from pure war coverage, and included pieces on the NFL, and if the season would continue; what an average citizen should know about war slang and abbreviations.

The paper also talked with pilots wives, and families who supported their spouses trip to the Gulf, but still wanted them home safely as soon as possible. Over the next days papers, the initial shock of our nation going to war subsided, and the paper returned to covering many sides of the conflict. The second and third day coverage included war time events, home coverage, and significant coverage on how the war was expected to affect the business world, and the market.

In newspapers away from the east coast, the coverage took much of the same slant, although the Midwest region, with more of a heart for it's own people, and less of an interest in the political mish-mash that keeps our Capitol running, was quicker to focus on the personal side of the war. The first day coverage in the St. Paul Pioneer Press from the twin cities area in Minnesota covered the fears of the local residents, and their reaction to the war's initiation.

This paper was quick to cover the local governments' responses to the president, and their local support for the national conflict. Their.