Annotated Bibliography

Jour111: Annotated Bibliography

By Caden Reid

Knightley, Phillip. (2002). Journalism, Conflict and War: An introduction. Journalism Studies, 3: 2, 167-171. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/doi/pdf/10.1080/14616700220129946 

Phillip Knightley, is currently a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln and has been a professional Journalist for nearly 60 years. His area of expertise is war reporting and propaganda and he brings these skills to the table during this journal article. The main focus of the article is the lack of specialization in Journalism, which is having a negative affect on the way war and foreign correspondence is being reported. The article begins by providing examples of how, as news progresses through to a more modern setting, there are less specialized foreign correspondents, with most covering vast areas and only possessing trivial knowledge at best. He states that governments too, are becoming more aware of the impact that the 24/7 news-cycle is having on the general public and that they are using this to their advantage, specifically concerning wars and other government initiatives. He uses examples, such as the Kosovo and Balkans wars, were the combination of inexperienced Journalism and manipulative governments contorted the perception of the general public, painting a significantly more positive image of the events than was present. In closing, Knightley expressly posts a suggestion to Journalists, that they need to question what they are hearing and that they cannot take what they see, on face value only. 

Wood, Paul (Reporter) & Scott, Fred (Cameraman) (2012, February 6). Syrian Crisis: Army Steps up Homs Shelling. Retrieved from BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16915292

Paul Woods, the report speaking in this video, is reporting from within the city of Homs in Syria during the initial stages of the government bombings. One of the few reporters reporting from within Homs, Woods provides information on the bombings after they initially begun. Throughout the video, Woods shows scenes of attacks in the city and the civilian reactions to the events surrounding them. Certain individuals are see shouting in defiance, while others question the absence of the UN and Arab League and demand action on their part for some form of assistance. Toward the end of the video, woods is seen interviewing a member of the Free Syrian Army and obtaining his opinion on the matter, as well as showing rebels burying their dead under the cover of moonlight. The main issue with it however, is that there is not a scene were he is actively speaking to supporters of the regime, just those opposed or those ambivalent towards it. This results in a biased article which heavily supports the rebels, rather than proposing simple intervention which could result in some form of peaceful resolution.

Barker, Anne (Speaker). (2012). New Massacre as Syria Crisis enters Second year (Audio Recording from Radio Australia). [Podcast]. Retrieved from http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-03-16/426322

The Radio Australia broadcast, spoken by Anne Barker, the ABC’s Middle East correspondent, deals with the events of the Syria crisis going into its second year. A senior reporter for the ABC, Anne Barker has been responsible for a number of broadcasts from Syria and has a wealth of experience in the region as a reporter. The main focus of the broadcast, is to provide information on events in Syria on the anniversary of the original rebellions. The main news, appears to be that the Assad regime, which was initially thought to be in trouble like many of the other toppled regimes, is in fact solidifying its position within Syria. Various celebrations of the anniversary show that support is firmly within the Assad government and outside sources state that there is still significant support for the regime. The rebels on the other hand, are both losing key members from their party and suffering significant divisions of power, which is threatening their longevity and the goals they hope to obtain. As opposed to the BBC article, this article is significantly more unbiased, with the opinions of both parties being obtained and no significant attempts being made to support one side over the other. Though the revelation of massacres being conducted by the regime paint them in a negative light, this isn’t dwelled upon significantly and the expertise and knowledge of Anne Barker shines through.

Muir, Jim (2012). Syria Crisis: Can UN Mission Succeed? Retrieved 20 May 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17829440

The BBC news internet article, written by Jim Muir, the BBC’s correspondent in Beirut (Lebanon), is concerned with the implementation of a new UN mission to Syria, the UNSMIS (UN Supervision Mission in Syria). Through the article, the author discusses the positives and negatives of the plan and the likelihood that it will be successfully implemented in the troubled state. The main problem discussed in the article, is that most UN missions are designed to assist warring states, not one that is in a partial civil war. This means that it is nearly completely untapped territory regarding former UN missions and that there are likely to be difficulties for the UN. Another problem, is that were the Syria government, or any of the number of opposition parties to break any of the agreements, it could result in a scraping of the plan and significant military action on the part of the UNSC. This could prove deadly to the civilian population of the states, which further increases the incentive to succeed. Muir, who is a senior foreign correspondent in the Middle East, provides significant details about the event in Syria, while also maintaining an unbiased opinion throughout the article. This and the fact that he is a BBC reported give credibility to his comments.