Impact of Vietnam War Media Coverage on American Society

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Impact of Vietnam War Media Coverage on American Society
The Vietnam War roots were characterized by United States (US) government intervention within the region via the Lend-Lease Act to contain Communism spread and prevent South Vietnam Communist takeover. Despite US military advisors emerging in French Indochina starting in 1950, Vietnam received negligible American media focus until the military engagement and escalation of troop levels between 1961 and 1962. Before then, Southeast Asia media coverage significantly emphasized the Cold War and communist. In 1964, America’s involvement within the region heightened following the Gulf of Tonkin occurrence. In this particular incident, the USS Maddox destroyer collided with three torpedo boats of North Vietnam, leading to a gunfire exchange, four casualties on the North Vietnam side, and damage on North Vietnamese and American ships. This event culminated in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that enabled President Johnson to help any Southeast Asian nation considered unde...