Commercial satellites were not used until the 1970s, and as a result, footage had to be shipped out of Vietnam to the networks, often resulting in a time lag of a few days. In addition to television news, the only other sources of information about the war were newspapers and radio, which both faced declining use because of television's popularity.
The importance of studying the television media from 1965 to 1970 is based on several factors. Although United States forces became directly involved in Vietnam in 1961, the number of personnel in Vietnam was a relatively small until 1965, when large numbers of US forces were sent to Vietnam. Another reason why 1965 is a good place to start a study of Vietnam War coverage is because of the evening news format of earlier years. CBS and NBC did not have half hour evening newscasts until 1963 (Hallin 105). Until 1963, CBS and NBC both used fifteen-minute evening newscasts and ABC waited several more years before moving to the half hour format. By 1965, the format of two of the major evening news outlets resembled what television viewers watch today. A final reason for increased war coverage around 1965 was the removal of the Diem government from South Vietnam in 1963. When Diem was in control, reporters and cameramen were at risk from attacks by the police. In 1963, a group of reporters and cameraman captured images of a Buddhist monk committing suicide by lighting himself on fire. Police chased down the media members, savagely beat them and destroyed the film footage (Prochnau 446). After the coup against Diem in 1963, the media were able to go about their business without fearing reprisals from the police.
CBS was the news leader during the Vietnam War years. Opinion polls said that CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America" (Hallin 106). Morley Safer, a CBS news correspondent in Vietnam, issued a story in August 1965 that was one of the first to question the United States" tactics.
The Vietnam War was a war we could not win and could not afford to lose. ... The Vietnam War was the first war that Americans were actually able to watch on their home television. ... In 1973 North and South Vietnam came to terms to end the war. ... Northern Vietnam agrees to return all Prisoners of war. ... STATISTICS "No event in history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. ...
Vietnam War To many, the Vietnam War symbolizes controversy, myth and question in America. ... Other weaponry made its debut in the Vietnam War. ... The Vietnam War was the first war that the anti-tank missile launcher was effectively used. ... The Vietnam War has been said on countless occasions to be the most photographed war in history. ... The Vietnam War was very confusing, especially as it was going on. ...
The Vietnam War The Vietnam War was a brutal war that affected millions of people in many different countries. All wars start because their is a difference in people's opinions, and the Vietnam War was no different. ... To find out why the war broke out you will have to go back to the 1750's. ... Then in 1946 a communist educated individual called Ho Chi Minh organized the people of North Vietnam and drove out the French rulers in a war that took eight years. ... Communist guerrillas in South Vietnam opposing the canceled election began attacks on Southern Vietnam and remaini...
The Vietnam War began in 1960 with the introduction of American troops into Vietnam. ... Australia fought in the Vietnam War from 1965 until 1972. ... The North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong were fighting to unify North Vietnam and South Vietnam as a communist country. ... The fear of communism eventually overtaking Australia was the initial and main reason for Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War. ... The Vietnam War has influenced the thinking of many Australian's on the need to work towards a peaceful resolution. ...
The Vietnam War was the most controversial war in U.S. history. ... It was also the biggest turning point in the Vietnam War. ... In this campaign alone more bombs were dropped on North Vietnam than were used in the whole of World War II. ... The amount of war refugees in Vietnam amounted to over 10 million. ... The Vietnam War was a very controversial war, which lasted over a decade. ...
The Vietnam War was the most controversial war in U.S. history. ... It was also the biggest turning point in the Vietnam War. ... In this campaign alone more bombs were dropped on North Vietnam than were used in the whole of World War II. ... The amount of war refugees in Vietnam amounted to over 10 million. ... The Vietnam War was a very controversial war, which lasted over a decade. ...
The Vietnam War, the nations longest war, cost fifty-eight thousand American lives. Only the Civil War and the two World Wars were deadlier ("Vietnam War-). ... Nixon ("War in Vietnam-). ... The Vietnam War was one of the best wars lost. ... That is the Vietnam War....
