HOW DID THE MEDIA INFLUENCE THE PUBLIC DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS AREA IN AMERICA.
I think you mean the civil rights era.
The media reported on the many civil rights demonstrations. It reported and showed videos of demonstrators being attacked by dogs and fire hoses. It showed pictures of Governor Faubus preventing black students from entering a school. It reported on the murders of Emmett Till and civil rights workers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_civil_rights_workers_murders
The media played a significant role in shaping public opinion during the Civil Rights era in America. Television, newspapers, and radio were the primary sources of news and information for the American public, and they had a profound impact on how people understood and responded to the Civil Rights movement.
1. News Coverage: Television brought the Civil Rights struggle directly into people's homes through news broadcasts. The visual images of peaceful demonstrators being attacked by police, the violence against African Americans, and the powerful speeches by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. had a powerful impact on viewers.
To understand how the media influenced the public during the Civil Rights era, you can analyze news footage from that time. Look for archival footage or documentaries that cover the Civil Rights movement. This will give you a firsthand account of how the media presented the events and issues.
2. Reporting: Journalists played a crucial role in reporting on the Civil Rights movement, particularly African American journalists who brought their unique perspectives and experiences to the coverage. They helped expose the injustices and inspired the public to support the movement.
To understand how the media influenced the public, you can read newspaper articles from prominent newspapers of the time, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Look for articles that cover the Civil Rights movement and analyze the language, framing, and tone used by journalists.
3. National Attention: Thanks to media coverage, the Civil Rights movement gained national attention and support. The media also gave a platform to civil rights leaders, allowing them to spread their message and raise awareness about racial inequality.
To understand how the media influenced the public, review speeches and interviews given by civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks. These speeches, which were often broadcasted and reported on by the media, played a crucial role in informing and mobilizing the public.
4. Bias and Counter-narratives: It's worth noting that media outlets were not always impartial or unbiased in their coverage of the movement. Some newspapers, particularly in the South, portrayed civil rights activists negatively or downplayed the severity of racial discrimination and violence.
To understand how the media influenced the public, analyze different sources and perspectives of the time. Compare coverage from various newspapers, radio stations, and television networks. Look for instances where the media may have perpetuated stereotypes, minimized the movement's impact, or presented counter-narratives to challenge the civil rights cause.
By researching and analyzing the media coverage of the Civil Rights era, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the media influenced public sentiment and played a role in shaping the course of the movement.