Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean
Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean by Walter C. Soderlund, published by Holtzbrinck on May 30, 2003, offers an analytical exploration of media coverage during significant crises in the Caribbean from 1990 to 1996. This 200-page book examines how the U.S. government’s lack of clear media guidelines following the September 11 attacks influenced the portrayal of international events, shifting focus towards domestic issues. Soderlund investigates the relationship between U.S. policy and media framing, highlighting the role of mass media as a crucial intermediary between the government and the public.
Readers will find a detailed study of network coverage regarding seven specific crises in the Caribbean, including Cuba and Mexico. The book reviews the correlation between U.S. involvement in these crises and the media attention they received, revealing how presidential visibility shaped perceptions of what constituted a crisis. Through case studies, Soderlund analyzes the language used in media reporting, categorizing it as positive, negative, or neutral/ambiguous. This examination provides insights into the dynamics of media representation and government influence during a pivotal period in international relations.
Official synopsis Publisher
The terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11 marked the end of an historical era known as the post-Cold War period. During this time, the U.S. government produced no clear media guidelines for dealing with world crises, and media coverage increasingly came to be focused on domestic conflicts rather than international ones. In the absence of a clearly defined threat, no dominant media frame replaced the time-worn Cold War in media reporting. Mass media has been recognized as an important intermediary between the government and the population. In this context, this study examines network coverage of seven post-Cold War crises, ranging from Cuba to Mexico, occurring in the Caribbean Basin between 1990 and 1996 to evaluate the framing of these events by the various media covering them.
In providing context for understanding these crises, this examination reviews U.S. policy in each case and discovers a strong correlation between the level of U.S. involvement in the crisis and the amount of media attention generated. By appearing on the news or not, the president along with key Cabinet members were able to define whether an event constituted a crisis for the United States. In instances where the media received little guidance from Washington officials on the implications for the United States, the media did attempt to provide explanations of events, however, coverage tended to be minimal. Case studies include the recording and coding of language used as positive, negative, and neutral/ambiguous.
FAQ
What is “Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean” about?
Who is the author of “Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean”?
When was “Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean” published?
What is the ISBN for “Mass Media and Foreign Policy: Post-Cold War Crises in the Caribbean”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
