The manufacture of heroes: A critical comparison of the press coverage of the British campaign in Afghanistan and the Jessica Lynch case

Essay , 2011 , 19 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Communications - Media and Politics, Politic Communications

Hero/Heroine: „A man/woman, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities: a war hero, she was a true feminist heroine” (Oxford 2010). The need for a hero or a heroine is probably as old as humanity itself. Whether it was the mythical Achilles in Greek mythology, Admiral Nelson in British history or Margaret Corbin, a heroine of the American Revolutionary War, in the American one, people always felt the urge to have somebody to look up at.
By the example of two modern heroic legends, Jessica Lynch and the average British soldier in Afghanistan, I want to find out why this need for heroes exists, where it comes from, and how the media deals with it. Additionally, I will try to find out whether the manufacture of heroes serves the interests of the media and the government, and if it does, what interests this could be and how they are pursued

Table of Contents

1.0. Introduction

2.0. The US Media
2.1. Objection, hearsay! Initial Media Reports of Jessica Lynch’s Abduction
2.2. "She did not want to be taken alive." How the US Media Covered the Legend of Lynch

3.0. The British Media
3.1. Counting the Dead. The New Standard of Reporting?.
3.2. “Backing Our Boys.” How the British Media Covers the Fate of British Soldiers in Afghanistan

4.0. Conclusion

5.0. Appendix
5.1. Endnotes
5.2. Bibliography.

• College: University of Lincoln (Media and Humanities)
• Course: War and the Media
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: MA Urs Endhardt (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 19
• Catalog Number: V179460
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656018728
• ISBN (Book): 9783656019107
• Language: English
• Tags: Jessica Lynch, Invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq War, Hero, Held, Irakkrieg, Iraqis, Iraker, Rape, Vergewaltigung, Propaganda, US, US militarz, women in the armed forces, Frauen in der Armee, Washington Post, War Spin, Chomsky, Herman, Propaganda Model, Propagandamodell, GI-Jane, Fedayeen, Taliban, British press, tabloids, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Hero Harry, War, attacks, artillery