| Americans experienced terror through media and were forced to construct a new social reality on 9/11/01. American television journalists framed the story first as breaking news: a plane crash at the World Trade Center. TV journalists later assumed an ethnocentric perspective as the frames of the story shifted to a national crisis involving coordinated attacks against American symbols and civilians. Journalists framed the attacks an act of war, paving the way for the president to declare wars against terrorism, Afghanistan and Iraq. Media led the discourse in the initial construction of the new social reality.; The study asked three research questions. The first question involved the television story of 9/11. Journalists seized upon 9/11 as the biggest story in the history of television news. News producers replayed the frightening video almost continuously. Journalists used themes of fear, death, revenge and war. TV journalists served two masters that day: the huge global audience that tuned in to watch the ongoing coverage, and terrorists whose acts were multiplied in power by the media.; The second research question involved how people used media on 9/11. People watched TV for many hours to make sense and reduce uncertainty about their own security and the welfare of the nation. A small number of people listened to the radio for news. Others expressed frustration over being unable to access the Internet on that day, due to extremely heavy Internet traffic. People also used the media to get answers to personal questions, such as the status of loved ones in New York, Washington, D.C. and the military. Media dependency produced a communal ritual, as people gathered with friends and family to watch, and discuss, the news coverage.; The third research question looked at the media effects of 9/11. Viewers reported experiencing powerful effects, including intense feelings of shock, fear, grief, anger and confusion. Arab-Americans reported fears of retribution. College students felt a new sense of identity and patriotism, along with a political awakening. Many were concerned with war. Racusn across America and Europe increased. Military actions ordered by President George W. Bush in retaliation for the attacks received bipartisan support initially but that support eroded over time as the memories of 9/11 began to fade. However, 9/11 remained the dominant theme three years later as Bush campaigned for re-election.; A critical review of media responsibility on 9/11 concluded that news coverage worsened the effects on viewers by showing the plane crashes and WTC collapse nonstop until they realized the audience was saturated. Nevertheless, viewers gave the media high marks for their performance under pressure, and for rallying the nation. Trade journals praised journalists, but academics were highly critical, blaming the media for fueling the march to war. News media became propaganda organs rather than watchdogs. In conclusion, 9/11 produced extremely powerful media effects that led to construction of a new social reality. |
