Vietnam as the First Television War

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The Specific Area of the Proposed Research

The Vietnam War can be regarded as a turning point for photojournalism (Anderson 2006). The specific area of my proposed research is two iconic photos. The first one depicts a napalmed child and is referred to as Accident Napalm”. The second is the execution of an alleged Viet Cong soldier by an American marine in the street of Saigon. My research proposal is geared towards interpreting the photos taken during the war and their impact. Writers such as Hammond (2007) and Hallin (2000) examine arguments that have suggested that such iconic photographs influenced American public attitudes to the Vietnam War towards the viewpoint that it was considered the official tragedy.

The Basic Research Questions

My research proposal discusses the interpretation of the cultural and historical background of the photos. Semiotics is also involved in providing an explanation for the photos. It is also necessary to clarify how the images affect people’s values, feelings, and perceptions during the war. For instance, the photos of a nine-year-old girl screaming and running naked with deep pain from a burn on her back and hands received the attention of the world (Andersen 2006). So, the way images affect our understanding of the immorality of the war is one of the key questions, which should be answered. The paper will focus on the similarities portrayed by the photos.

The photos have a common element of triggering emotional outrage and a strong sense of powerlessness (Cottle 2004). For this reason, specific attention should be given to the generalized elements that the photos contain in terms of people’s common and specific evaluation of the war. The Vietnam conflict is described as one of the conflicts in which media coverage was allowed. In former American conflicts, the media was censored. However, in the Vietnam War, the journalists were not officially censured (Andersen 2006). It was the first time that the Americans had to watch live coverage of the war from their rooms (Der Derian 2009). The unique thing about the Vietnam conflict was the fact that American citizens became more significantly informed than in any other conflicts (Andersen 2006).

The Main Themes of the Proposed Research

The key themes of the proposed research include an emotional understanding of the photos, the cultural context of photos and ideological narratives challenges. In addition, specific attention should be given to the analysis of relations between representations of war in media, as well as its impact on the world perception of the Vietnam War.

The Main Arguments of the Research

The value of photographs is tremendous as compared to the value of words. Photographs last for a long time, and they are easily recalled. Images are highly instrumental in arousing people’s pre-existing values and emotional reactions. Thus, one of the main arguments, which should be discussed, is recognised to be the importance of visual learners as compared with the printed word (Hammond 2007). The photo called Accident Napalm has stuck in the memories of those people who have come across it. Allan (2010) argues that the photo with a girl running naked in the streets with injuries on her body caused by napalm seems to reflect the cruelties of the nature of the war. This can be regarded as the second key argument, which should be highlighted.

The Basic Methodologies of the Research Project

A synthesis of the literature in relation to the images is considered to be the key methodology the research project is to be based on. For instance, when speaking about the Tet Execution photo, there is a need to point out that the execution was carried by Brigadier General Nguyen Ngoc Loan. This event was covered by the media. There were video footage and a photograph of the event. After shooting the prisoner, the perpetrator also executed the NBC and ABC camera crews. Though the execution was aired, the photograph was more highly rated than the video footage (Donald & MacDonald 2011). The photo evoked strong emotions of pity and terror (Gilboa 2002). Another important method, which is to be used, is a semiotic analysis of the chosen photos.

Methods to be Used

A review of the literature and analysis of photo and video documentation will be involved in the research. The theoretical material will be analysed with regard to the photos under consideration. Therefore, a qualitative method will be used the research.

Personal Connections with the Research Proposal

The Vietnam War is considered a world tragedy because it indicates the cruellest crime against humanity. The analysis of photojournalism is closely connected with the crimes committed during the war.

Relevant Political and Ethical Considerations

The photos generated very strong emotions for Americans (Donald & MacDonald 2011). The photos attracted the attention of many people, and they were highly reproduced by various media houses. They made history by being sold more than any other war video. A negative reaction by the United States citizens on the war was noted (Donald & MacDonald 2011). Negative attention led to a widespread expression of disillusionment on the American government’s role in the war (Allen & Seaton 1999). For this reason, some arguments on the government’s role in the war are to be analysed in detail.

Timeline

The research proposal will take about three months. It will be composed of several stages, including gathering data, analysing information, observations, structuring information, presenting the first draft and revisions. All these stages will take approximately 2 weeks each.

Budget

Some of the sources are available at specialized libraries and databases access to which is not available for free. Therefore, resources should be spent on sufficient research materials.

Annotated Bibliography

Andersen, R 2006, A Century of Media, a Century of War, Peter Lang, New York.

The author represents the analysis of a long-term connection between war and media, as well as how this union is perceived in society. The book represents a series of stories and facts that explain the underpinnings of war and conflicts. Public perception and representation of war through media should be discussed in the research to define how photos can be analysed.

Allen, T & Seaton, J 1999, The Media of Conflict: War Reporting and Representations of Ethnic Violence, Zed Books, New York.

In the book, the authors argue that public perception of wars can be considerably confused and misunderstood because of wrong representations of struggles by photojournalists. It also focuses on the importance of considering ethnicity and relation to cultural contexts that are differently perceived in various cultures. The book is a credible and relevance resource that can be used to answer the research questions.

Gilboa, E 2002, Media and Conflict: Framing Issues, Making Policy, Shaping Opinions, Transnational, Ardsley, NY.

Cross-cultural perspectives are important to consider because they identify the role of identity in media representation, as well as conflict development. In the book, the researcher represents how media affects various types of conflict, both at the global and local levels. Therefore, the information represented in the source is pertinent for the given research because it highlights the connection between ethnicity and identity.

Hammond, P 2007, Media, War and Post Modernity, Routledge, London.

Media has a potent impact on international intervention and the Vietnam War is not an exception. In the book, the author criticizes media, considering it an accelerator of war conflict between countries based on misconceptions and political interests. The source provides a wider picture on historical background presented in the photos under analysis.

Reference List

Allan, S 2010, News Culture, Open University Press, Berkshire and New York.

Allen, T & Seaton, J 1999, The Media of Conflict: War Reporting and Representations of Ethnic Violence, Zed Books, New York.

Altheide, L 2009, Terror Post-9/11 and Media, Peter Lang, New York,

Andersen, R 2006, A Century of Media, a Century of War, Peter Lang, New York.

Cottle, S 2004, News, Public Relations and Power, Sage, London,

Der Derian, J 2009, Virtuous War: Mapping the Military-Industrial-Media- Entertainment Network, 2nd ed, Westview Press, Colorado.

Donald, R & MacDonald, K 2011, Reel Men at War: Masculinity and the American War Film, Scarecrow Press, Lanham MD.

Gilboa, E 2002, Media and Conflict: Framing Issues, Making Policy, Shaping Opinions, Transnational, Ardsley, NY.

Hammond, P 2007, Media, War and Post Modernity, Routledge, London.

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