Essay Proposal
The effects of war have often acted as a catalyst for photographers and journalists.
The way wars are communicated to a reader or viewer can often be the only source of intelligence that the public receive into war relations. I would like to use examples of what is considered true journalism and photography, such as the Life magazine’s reporting on WW2, and compare these to ‘unknown’ or or propaganda tools used, and how these have been exploited, such as in the Drama, ‘The Promise,’ which covered the war in Palestine and Israel. This would explore the reasoning of journalists and reporters actions, such as claims of how ‘we’ the British public are/will be affected by the situations, and how the wars are available and accessible, to enable journalists to report ‘the truth.’ Photography, such as Life Magazine, would be a good example of old fashioned and traditional work in the area surrounding war, and I intend to refer to examples such as this and visual examples from news channels such as the BBC, to highlight the differences. Ultimately, I would argue wars being a reason to report, or a reason to exploit for journalists.
Sources:
Books
Alan.S; (2004), Reporting War: Journalism in Wartime. 1st Ed: Routledge.
This source covers subjects such as; when war is reduced to a photograph, TV war, journalists, professionalism, and identification in war, and examples of specific wars such as The Balkans, Persian Gulf, and African Savagery.
Crook, T; (2010), Comparative Media Law and Ethics. 1st ed. Oxon, United States: Routledge.
This title looks at the way journalists provoke actions from the public regarding war. It also has ethical issues and law regulations for journalists.
Foerstel, H; (2006), Killing the messenger, Journalists at risk in modern warfare. 1st Ed. United States: Praeger.
This explores key features in reporting in war for photographers and correspondents, and how it is accessible for them, including examples from Iraq.
John, A.V; (2006), The life and times of Henry W. Nevinson. 1st Ed. New York: Tauris and Co Ltd.
A book that explores a war correspondent’s life, as it has topics such as; a corresponding cause, the South African war, and how this journalist corresponded in the First World War This source may give some specific examples of war reporting, and identify the catalyst for reporting wars at them times.
Jorgensen, K; (2009), The Handbook of Journalism Studies. 1st Ed. New York: Routledge
This source contains features on the truth in war and journalism, war shaping practises of journalism, and key journalism and war dates.
Magazines and Journals
Unknown author; (1951), Americas Long Range Striking Force. Life Magazine, 27.09.51. 17, 22.
This is a specific magazine that I will investigate, and use examples from to support my argument.
Websites
Austin Cline, about.com. 2006. Journalism During War. [ONLINE] Available at: http://atheism.about.com/b/2006/07/18/journalism-during-war-patriotism-vs-journalistic-responsibility.htm. [Accessed 22 February 12].
This website uses examples of journalist work in war, and also, how a journalist reports in war, and the issues surrounding this.
Alternative Questions
If my essay does not unfold and materialise how I had first intended, I have alternative questions with a short summary of what I would cover and investigate for each.
- The rise in social media is changing the nature of contemporary society.
Reason: How social media is impacting on real life decisions, and how it is changing the methods of communicating a story to readers through interactive mediums, such as Twitter, and Storify. I would look at the difference between storytelling by public through interactive communications and visual media, and the way journalists are using social media as a new form of communicating their stories. How can the difference be identified, and what separates a story being a piece of journalism and news, from just being a story.
- Compare the terms interpret and negotiate in relation to the process by which viewers and readers make meaning in relation to a journalist’s intentions.
Reason: I would consider the broadsheets and tabloids headlines on similar storylines, such as the Princess Dianna death, The war in Iraq, and Prime Minister elections, to draw the interpretations made in each, and compare these to identify the way the newspaper is intending to negotiate the terms they are trying to employ to their readers, and influence them to have a particular view or understanding through the way their message is communicated.
3. Discuss changing representations of femininity and masculinity in visual culture, and the factors that have influenced them.
Reason: I may look at the different ways in which the world of journalism has evolved and women have integrated into what was once a male dominated occupation. Has the equality of visuals such as women appearing on specific news Television as presenters, rather than being the ‘sidekick’ or just the weather girl, made the occupation more open, or led the leading organisations to use women as a balancing tool on air. (The fact that BBC news, either have one woman, or one man solely presenting, or one man and one woman, or sometimes two women, but never two men)
Bibliography
Books
Alan.S; (2004), Reporting War: Journalism in Wartime. 1st Ed: Routledge.
Crook, T; (2010), Comparative Media Law and Ethics. 1st ed. Oxon, United States: Routledge.
Foerstel, H; (2006), Killing the messenger, Journalists at risk in modern warfare. 1st Ed. United States: Praeger.
John, A.V; (2006), The life and times of Henry W. Nevinson. 1st Ed. New York: Tauris and Co Ltd.
Jorgensen, K; (2009), The Handbook of Journalism Studies. 1st Ed. New York: Routledge
Magazines and Journals
Unknown author; (1951), Americas Long Range Striking Force. Life Magazine, 27.09.51. Pg. 17, 22.
Websites
Austin Cline, about.com. 2006. Journalism During War. [ONLINE] Available at: http://atheism.about.com/b/2006/07/18/journalism-during-war-patriotism-vs-journalistic-responsibility.htm. [Accessed 22 February 12].
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