uploading dissonance. overview youtube and the us occupation of iraq – christensen o propaganda...
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Overview• YouTube and the US occupation of Iraq –
Christenseno Propaganda vs. public diplomacyo Noopolitik
• Amateur Photojournalism and the Myth of Media Democracy – Nemanico Grassroots journalism o Media democracy—does it exist?
• Examples• Questions/Areas of exploration
Christensen: YouTube and the US Occupation of Iraq
• MNFIRAQ – what is it?o YouTube channel 2007o US Defense Departmento “boots on ground
perspective” of waro Sanitized version of waro No profanity,
graphic/disturbing content
Steetfighting• Typical gun battle scenes• Enemy always initiating contact• US Soldiers defending/ returning
fire• Calm & Collected manner• No results or casualties shown
Surgical Warfare• Involves bombing from helicopter or airplane• Destroy selected targets (terrorists, weapons)
that posses threat• Very accurate and precise• Again no carnage shown
“Good Deeds”• Christensen – “Feel good
material”• Display troops in positive light• Show good relations between
citizens & troops• Ex – Shaking hands, playing with
kids, laughing
Good deeds? – Opposing Content• Example of propagandistic
dissonance• Opposing content makes propaganda
difficult• Level of control much more difficult• YouTube decentralized nature• Alternative clips appear side by side
Good deeds? – Apache Kills• Shows high power ammunition• Body part exploded• Shows wounded person• Propaganda relies on censorship• US soldiers uploading own clips
disrupts this
Traditional Propaganda
• Nazi Germany clip• YouTube, Google Video, didn’t
exist• No alternative view• Easier to implement propaganda
• Propagandistic Dissonance• Realpolitik and noopolitik• What we see here is noopolitik—
o Control over thoughto “deliberate, regulated decontrolo Noopolitik may ultimately be about whose
story wins 159
Magazines and Advertising
• For corporate gain oWe’re more sensitive to
government propaganda but advertising is just as prominent
• Bernays—propaganda vs. public relations, sound familiar?
• “But in the war over public opinion, video-sharing sites such as YouTube and Google video have, it appears, begun to restructure the balance of story-telling power”o Christensen 173
Has it really?
But Nemanic says No…
• Digital Divide• Photojournalism requires education, talent,
experience• Professional images= superior quality• Photojournalist more willing to take risks for
greater images• Civilian journalism is short lived—edges on
sensationalism
• Grass roots – “ involving the common people”o Princeton Wordnet
• Media democracyo global social movement developed to open up mass media to a range
of ideas and diverse voices that are repressed through media ownership
o But these are two separate things!
• Idea of authenticity
Culture and Citizen Journalism
• Audience appropriation and modification of media texts
• John Fiske culture—“an active process of generating and circulating meanings and pleasures within the social system”
• Audience interests are short lived
Discussion: Is this citizen journalism?
Bed Intruder- original news report
Bed Intruder Song – audience appropriation
Further questions
• Do you agree with Nemanic?• Can citizen and professional journalists work
together?• How does/can one complement the other?