Literature Review #2

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2004

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Arts Humanities

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Dec 6, 2023

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Literature Review The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were a turning point in modern history, leaving a profound impact on the United States and the world. This paper delves into the intricate dynamics between the media's portrayal of the attacks, the government's response, and the American public's collective mindset. By analyzing the works of scholars such as Marvin Kalb, Rohan Gunaratna, and George W. Bush, I seek to explore the complex relationship between media narratives, governmental actions, and public sentiments. Marvin Kalb's insightful analysis in "Journalism after 9/11" goes beyond simply documenting the post-9/11 media landscape. He provides a deep exploration of how news coverage underwent a transformative evolution in direct response to the unprecedented events that unfolded on that day. Kalb's meticulous examination of the media's role delves deep into its transformative power, emphasizing not only its impact on shaping public perception but also its far-reaching influence on subsequent policy decisions. As a dynamic conduit for information dissemination, the media emerges as a central player in shaping the narrative surrounding the 9/11 attacks. Kalb's insights reveal how this framing process extended beyond mere reporting; it became a powerful force in shaping and molding public understanding, expectations, and concerns in the aftermath of traumatic events. The media's role in this context transcends its traditional function, emerging as a critical influence that not only reflects societal sentiments but actively shapes and constructs the very fabric of public consciousness and collective responses. Overall, Kalb's analysis of journalism after 9/11 provides a profound and comprehensive understanding of how the media influences public opinion and policy decisions in times of crisis. The symbiotic relationship between the media and the public during times of crisis is evident in Kalb's work. News narratives became a primary source through which the American populace

processed the traumatic events of 9/11. The media, by contextualizing and framing the attacks, played a pivotal role in constructing the narrative that eventually shaped the public's understanding of the need for governmental action. As the public relied on the media for information and analysis, news coverage likely influenced policymakers who were attuned to public sentiment. Bell's article, "Public Trust in Government: 1958-2023," sheds light on the near-record lows in public trust in the federal government in the United States. With fewer than 2% of Americans expressing trust in the government in Washington to do what is right "just about always" and only 15% indicating trust "most of the time," the findings indicate a significant erosion of public trust. The historical perspective provided by Bell, spanning from 1958 to 2023, adds depth to the understanding of shifting political attitudes and public perceptions. Bell's analysis of declining public trust provides a crucial context for understanding the evolving socio- political landscape, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In the context of the paper, Bell's work becomes an integral part of the broader narrative that explores the intricate dynamics between the media's portrayal of the attacks, the government's response, and the American public's collective mindset. Rohan Gunaratna's book, "The 9/11 Effect and the Transformation of Global Security," provides a comprehensive exploration of the impact of news coverage on a global scale. Gunaratna highlights how the media, acting as a worldwide information disseminator, had a significant influence not only on U.S. policies but also on the reactions of the international community. By taking a broader perspective, Gunaratna emphasizes the intricate interplay between media narratives, governmental strategies, and public perception in the context of the 9/11 attacks' global implications. Gunaratna's study reveals that the media's portrayal of these

attacks played a crucial role in shaping how nations worldwide perceived the threat of terrorism and, as a result, how they responded. His work emphasizes the profound and far-reaching impact of news coverage on diplomatic relations, the forging of international alliances, and the formulation of comprehensive global security strategies. This interconnectedness between media influence and policy decisions is essential in understanding the post-9/11 policy landscape's profound impact on international security. By framing the narrative surrounding 9/11, the media emerges not only as a reflection of global sentiment but as a determinant that actively contributed to shaping how nations responded to the imminent threat of terrorism and formulated their individual policies in the complex landscape of international security. The document in which George W. Bush laid out America's international strategy after the 9/11 attacks was a significant one. It offered an official perspective that connected the media's narratives with the government's tangible policy actions. In fact, the themes and narratives perpetuated by the media during that critical period were not just reflected in the document, but actively aligned with it. This shows how the media's coverage influenced the government's decision-making process. By examining Bush's document, we can gain a unique perspective on how media narratives directly influenced the government's strategic thinking. This influence had the potential to guide the formulation of policies that were not only responsive to immediate security concerns but also aimed at addressing the nuanced expectations and concerns of the public. The alignment observed between media narratives and official policy formulations serves as a tangible testament to the dynamic interplay between media influence, governmental responses, and the nuanced landscape of public sentiment, reinforcing the intricate relationships that defined the post-9/11 era.

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The common theme that threads through the works of Kalb, Gunaratna, Bell, and Bush is the intricate relationship between news coverage of the 9/11 attacks, governmental responses, and the consequential impact on public opinion and how that has changed. Each source contributes a unique perspective, all collectively forming a comprehensive narrative of how media narratives played a pivotal role in shaping the post-9/11 socio-political landscape. Kalb's analysis illuminates the transformative power of the media in influencing public perceptions and subsequently guiding policy decisions at the domestic level. Gunaratna's work expands this theme globally, demonstrating how media narratives crossed national boundaries, influencing not only U.S. policies but also shaping international responses to the threat of terrorism. George W. Bush's articulation of America's international strategy underscores the alignment between media narratives and official policy formulations, emphasizing the profound impact of news coverage on shaping governmental strategies and, by extension, public sentiment, which relates to Bell's analysis of how trust in the government has decreased significantly. The overarching theme, therefore, revolves around the interconnected dynamics of media influence, governmental responses, and the shaping of public opinion during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In conclusion, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks witnessed a profound interconnection between news coverage, governmental responses, and public opinion. Marvin Kalb's analysis illuminates the transformative role of the media in shaping public perceptions and influencing policy decisions at the domestic level. Rohan Gunaratna's exploration of the global security transformation underscores how media narratives transcended national borders, shaping international responses and policies. George W. Bush's articulation of America's international strategy emphasizes the alignment between media narratives and official policy formulations. Bell's analysis of declining public trust adds a crucial layer, contributing to a comprehensive

narrative of how media narratives played a pivotal role in shaping the post-9/11 socio-political landscape. Sources  Kalb, M. (2021). Journalism after 9/11 . The Brookings Institution Falk Auditorium. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/journalism- after-9-11/ .  Gunaratna, R. (2021). The 9/11 Effect and the Transformation of Global Security. Council of Councils.

https://www.cfr.org/councilofcouncils/global-memos/911-effect-and-transformation- global-security  Bush, G. (2002). Overview of America's International Strategy. The White House Washington. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/nsc/nssall.html  Bell, P. (2023). Public Trust in Government: 1958-2023. Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/19/public-trust-in- government- 1958-2023/

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Literature Review #2

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