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.
I agree totally with your opinion, you justified it very well and gave great examples.
ReplyDeleteGood job, I do agree with what you stated and how the Lynch story displays what the government should not do with public opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinions because I as well believe that it is okay to sometimes attempt to change the publics opinion for the better, but I also believe that the public should have the freedom of shaping their own opinions.
ReplyDeletei did a similar blogpost to this so i completely back up your perspective, your opinion was supported with the jessica lynch and pat tillman articles, which further support your statement. well done
ReplyDeletewa7sh
Don't you still think that an election should also be completely truthful? We can safely assume that the elected party will be the those carrying out such campaigns, then it could be right to stop it from the beginning.
ReplyDelete