Communications and Media

In the Aday, Livingston, and Heberts article, the issue of embedding in relation to popular or mass media is assessed and focused upon. In particular, the main argument or thesis of the abovementioned authors is that the news norm is generally influenced by aspects of culture and beliefs instead of merely being driven by actual events to further explain, it is highlighted in article that the while objectivity remains at a suitable degree, implied messages may still be indirectly perceived as events and stories focused are selectively chosen instead of having biased reports (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 17). Of course, an appropriate approach to prove such a point has been considered and applied for the study. Both American and Iraqi networks, especially in terms of the news programs in which war coverage is featured, have been thoroughly evaluated. Furthermore, aside from particularly assessing the tone of the reporters, the stories tackled in such networks have also been identified (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 8). Considering that the study incorporated a quantitative approach in measuring the aforesaid aspects, it would only be proper to state that a reliable means of comparison has been used throughout the study.

After discussing a brief background regarding the study reviewed, it would only be proper to focus upon and delineate the specific evidences used to support the thesis. For one, it has been noted in the article that in almost all the networks reviewed maintained a neutral tone of around 90 percent throughout news features (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 8). Expectedly, results pertaining to the stories emphasized throughout networks may be considered as supportive to the aforesaid argument of the authors. Hence, important evidence brought forth from the results of the study is that American networks did not feature stories which would not support the Iraq war and instead highlighted the recent updates regarding military operations (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 17). In order to point out cultural differences in terms of news coverage by the Iraqi network, specifically the Al-Jazeera, a similar review of the stories commonly shown has been accomplished. Distinct, from the American networks, Al-Jazeera highlights news on the relevance or the need for a war as well as protests (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 17). Given such findings, it is undeniable that the argument is undeniably well supported.

Of course, it would also be a worthwhile endeavor to determine whether the abovementioned argument is supported by literature. In relation to this, the role of news and the manner in which stories are discussed and selected may be both represented by both the transmission view and ritual view of communication. To further expound, the two views may be effectively differentiated according to the expressed role of communication the transmission view highlights the need to convey information while the ritual view emphasizes the need to embody beliefs and culture (Carey 15, 18). The concept of the transmission view in part explains the presence of a generally neutral tone in disseminating stories regarding the war, as the accuracy of the information is regarded of utmost importance. As noted beforehand, certain evidences in support of the argument may also be reflected by the ritual view of communication. Specifically, the distinctions between the stories covered and selected between American and Iraqi networks may be explained by the fact that shared beliefs may also be considered as the focus or main rationale of news and discussions. Interestingly, the similarities and distinctions among American and Iraqi networks may also be understood as a means to appeal to the culturally defined demands of their respective geographic location particularly, acceptance and acclaim would only be possible if the audience would be able to appreciate and relate to the expressed by media (Kellner 15).

As one may realize from the supportive points found throughout literature, the findings regarding tone and story selection are in fact rather expectable. In this sense, it may be considered that the authors of the article, as well as those of the mentioned literature, argues against the point that culture and concepts do not affect the manner in which news are presented as objectivity is always upheld. Interesting, others may argue that objectivity cannot be maintained if culture would affect the selection of stories to be covered. However, this point still not be regarded as a possible means of weakening the main argument in the article as such do not denote biases or practices of blatant embedding but merely reflect cultural trends. From a personal perspective, such support for the thesis is rather unsurprising as well. Although, admittedly, realizing that a neutral tone is still generally present throughout mass media, not only in the United States but in other countries as well, is still without doubt an unexpected finding indeed. Given that an appropriate attention to detail has been applied throughout the article, there would be no reason to doubt the reliability of such findings regarding the neutrality of tone. Hence, oversights and evidences which may weaken the argument and thesis maintained throughout the article are not existent.

Throughout the discussion, it has become evident that the argument of the articles authors is not only supported by literature but is also in agreement with personal knowledge of the issue. Specifically, throughout the course an emphasis on the role and impact of culture upon mass media has been maintained and thus after reading such an article such notions are only further confirmed and supported. Furthermore, personally, a better means of understanding the issue of embedded journalists as well as media bias has been developed. To reiterate, among the most vital points made in the article is that embedded journalist still maintained a neural and objective tone in providing war related news (Aday, Livingston, and Hebert 15). Therefore, it may be said that the article is a success in two aspects first in terms of proving that embedding does not compromise objectivity and second in broadening ones views regarding the determinative role of culture.