It is acceptable for a government to try to shape public opinion through information campaigns.

Firstly, public opinion is defined as a “citizens’ view on politics and government actions”. In the case of the documentary we watched in class yesterday (Control Room), I disagree with the statement that ‘It is acceptable for a government to try to shape public opinion through information campaigns.’, because the people of their nations have a right to know what’s going on in the world around them and what they are involved in. To fabricate lies like the Jessica Lynch example of her being a heroine, is a blatant lie and I believe it not only morally wrong to show the Iraqi state in a certain light, but it is morally wrong for the civilians of the United States as well.

               In addition for news stations of the United States and the Western world to be fabricating stories of what is ‘going on’ in Iraq, does not have benefit to anyone; because the American civilians are not only assured that everything is ‘under control’, but it builds more hate against their enemies hearing stories like the Pat Tillman case or the Jessica Lynch one as well. Thus it essentially doesn’t promote safety it makes people want the war more.

However in the case of Iraq, by them sharing footage of what happening in their own homeland, they are not only just telling them that this is what’s happening today but also warning their people about the situation. I feel like they should tell people what’s happening and let them decide what they want to do. As in nothing should be left hidden from the public, because they deserve to know what their country is involved in, in all cases not just this one.

Therefore, I do disagree however I do not strongly disagree, because in certain situations I believe it is okay to try and sway public opinion. For example: an election campaign, the candidates do have the right to be bias and try to get votes from their people. There is a flip-side to this though that correlates to what I was saying about the war because if there is a campaign the public should know everything about the situation. Because if they don’t that’s when it falls back onto the public negatively because they should have the right to decide for themselves.