Robinson, P. (2005). The CNN Effect
Revisited. Critical Studies in Media
Communication, 22 (4), pp. 344-349.
Piers Robinson, a Senior Lecturer at the
University of Manchester, has gained international repute for his research into
the ‘relationship between communications, media and world politics’ (University
of Manchester 2011). Throughout the article, Robinson examines the evolution of
the so-called ‘CNN Effect’ following the end of the Cold War, and identifies
multiple factors that have driven this evolution. The author divides the CNN
Effect into three categories: Cold War anti-communist consensus, 1990’s
humanitarian intervention and post-9/11 deference to government. Citing both the works of others and his own
previous research, Robinson identifies the anomalies present in CNN Effect,
making great note of the U.S. media’s return to governmental deference after
9/11. The author also notes the evidence linking the media to intervention in
the 1990’s, as well as referencing controversy surrounding the validity of the
CNN Effect. Robinson concludes the article by identifying the humanitarian
intervention of the 1990’s as an isolated incident, referencing the U.S.
media’s general willingness to conform to the agendas of the government. In comparison,
a study conducted by Professor Eytan Gilboa during the same year cited below
reached a similar conclusion, but conceded that the situation was still in flux
and further research would be necessary.
Collins, S. (2012, May 4). An Ugly Mind. The Global Mail. Retrieved from: http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/an-ugly-mind/225/
Sarah-Jane
Collins, Environment, Science and Technology Writer for the not-for-profit ‘news
and feature’ website The Global Mail,
is a recognised Australian journalist who has received multiple commendations
for her work. Throughout the feature article Collins discusses the controversy
surrounding the actions of accused terrorist and mass-murder Anders Behring
Breivik, with particular regard to the debate surrounding his sanity. Collins
begins by stating that the real issue is whether or not Breivik is sane, as
no-one can feasibly deny that his self-confessed actions were anything but
criminal. The author recognises the difficulty most of her audience would have
comprehending the fact that Breivik may be sane, identifying his rationale as
something that most people cannot conceive. Collins makes excellent use of her
sources in order to present the feature in as balanced a way as possible,
including quotations from two recognised professionals – a psychologist and an
anthropologist – in order to present multiple views on Breivik’s mental state,
as well as his motives. The author also
uses hyperlinks attached to key words in order to provide further information
beyond the feature. Collins concludes by returning to the issue of sanity,
identifying that it is entirely possible that Breivik is not mad, simply
prepared to use any means necessary to purport his ideology.
Walters, G. (2011, July 27). Anders Breivik is not a madman. New Statesman. Retrieved from: http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/guy-walters/2011/07/breivik-murder-future-commit
Guy Walters is a blogger for New
Statesman, a leading political, cultural and current affairs magazine based in the
United Kingdom. He is a renowned author, editor and journalist, and contributes
to multiple British-based news publications. Similar to Collins’ article,
Walters’ blog focuses on the debate surrounding Breivik’s sanity. However, the
opinionative nature of blogging allows the author to present his personal
belief that Breivik is sane, albeit twisted. Walters notes that not every mass
murderer is insane, and draws connections between past atrocities and those
committed by Breivik. The author pushes his belief that Breivik was taking what
he believed to be the best course of action in order to achieve his goal.
Walters uses the acts of the Nazi leadership as an example, and includes an
excerpt of a speech given by Heinrich Himmler to emphasise his point. The
author references the opinions of multiple commentators – some of whom consider
Breivik insane and some who don’t – demonstrating that he has attempted to
understand the reasoning behind both viewpoints. Like Collins, Walters makes
use of hyperlinks attached to key words to provide additional information. The
author concludes by stressing the importance of understanding the Breivik
scenario in order to prevent it from happening again.
The Telegraph. (2011, August 15). Norway attacks: Anders Breivik returns
to Utoya island. The Telegraph.
Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8701595/Norway-attacks-Anders-Breivik-returns-to-Utoya-island.html
The Telegraph is a well-known
British online news website, one of several mediums under the proprietary of
Telegraph Media Group. The name of an author is not provided, making it
difficult to determine the accuracy of its contents. The article consists of a
video accompanied by a brief description. The video includes the caption
‘Courtesy: VGTV’, identifying the footage as belonging to journalists for the
Norwegian news group VG. The video contains two segments: a press conference
conducted by a police prosecutor and an interview with Breivik’s lawyer. The
segments are intercut with footage of Breivik explaining the events that took
place during a re-enactment on Utoya Island. The video attempts to present the
story without bias, as shown by including footage of both the prosecuting and
defending sides. Unlike Collins’ feature article and Walters’ blog, the focus
of the video is not Breivik’s mental
state, but his return to the scene of the massacre. However, the issue is
briefly hinted at, as the video ends with Breivik’s lawyer conceding that ‘it
is difficult…to understand [Breivik’s] explanations’. While The Telegraph is a well respected
website, the article looses credibility when compared to those of Collins and
Walters, due to the lack of noticeable citation present.
Reference List
Robinson, P. (2005). The CNN Effect
Revisited. Critical Studies in Media
Communication, 22 (4), pp. 344-349.
London: Routledge.
The University of Manchester. (2011). Dr
Piers Robinson, research profile – personal details. The University of Manchester. Retrieved from: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/research/piers.robinson/
Gilboa,
E. (2005). The CNN Effect: The Search for a Communication Theory of
International Relations. Political
Communication, 22 (1), pp. 27-44. London: Routledge.
Collins, S. (2012, May 4). An Ugly Mind. The Global Mail. Retrieved from: http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/an-ugly-mind/225/
Walters, G. (2011, July 27). Anders
Breivik is not a madman. New Statesman.
Retrieved from: http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/guy-walters/2011/07/breivik-murder-future-commit
The Telegraph. (2011, August 15). Norway
attacks: Anders Breivik returns to Utoya island. The Telegraph. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8701595/Norway-attacks-Anders-Breivik-returns-to-Utoya-island.html
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