The Military Officer as Portrayed by Selected Class Periodicals and Mass Circulation Magazines from 1960-1965

摘要

Findings suggest that the media tend to bring certain predispositions to bear which influence the content and context of the coverage. Certain crucial issues remain actively influential long after the occurrence of events which sparked them. Together with other issues and events they form 'sets of prevailing conditions' which in turn influence the coverage of other events related to the subject. Concentration is almost exclusively on the highest levels of military leadership, with the senior leaders bearing the brunt of critical commentary. Actions at the highest levels often were unclear in terms of responsibility. Top level leaders and controversial figures received the most attention with the vast majority of military leaders being overlooked. However, several scholars report that a new officer corps is coming about--one made up of military intellectuals who are rising because of their technical and managerial expertise. Topics outside the crucial issues resulted in a broader portrayal of the military officer, though it was lacking and was usually overshadowed by the larger issues. Generally it was found that accuracy and objectivity were not consistent among the media studied.