Discursive Weapon in the War in Iraq - Essay Example

FIRST This article mainly deals with presenting the most powerful weapons that are used in wars by taking into concern the 2003 Iraq war. It can be argued that the use of sophisticated technological weapons by the US military forces was much clean, accurate and efficient. Though the weapons used by the Iraqi militants were the cause of mass destruction, human life was harmed by a greater extent. The objective of the war, as addressed by George W Bush, US President and Prime Minister of British Tony Blair was the initial step to free the people of Iraq and western Democracies from the threat of Saddam Hussein. The tie of Iraq with Al- Qaeda terrorist network was the reason of threat for the Bush Government and the 9/11 terrorist attack on the US traumatized the people of America at large. One of the key concepts relating to the article is that it emphasized various significant aspects that include technological weapon system, military hardware, surveillance and intelligence used by the governments to minimize the damage of war and the resulted threats that impose over the common people. The style of journalism was determined based upon the reporting style which assisted the people to understand the situation of war. The truth and the morality were the key factors of reporting that depicted the American war front to be sophisticated in comparison with Iraq. The war reportage plays a decisive role in defining the conflict and its contribution towards upholding legitimacy along with illegitimacy at large. In precise, it can be affirmed that this article emphasizes revealing the significance of reporting during warfare (Gasher 209-224). SECOND ABSTRACT This particular reading explores the notion of representation which can be apparently observed to capture a new along with a significant place in a rich diversity of social identity and culture. It has been argued in the reading that representation is an integral part of the process by which a meaning is created and exchanged between members of diverse culture. It generally involves the utilization of languages, signs along with images that represent any particular object. The thought of representation is based on three concepts that include constructionist, reflective and intentional approach which links language and meaning to culture. According to the reading provided, it can be viewed that every representation has its own meaning which is expressed through language or any other forms and even, the complex meaning of representation is understandable by every individual. Representation is often regarded as the construction of meaning which is used to bridge the gap between a concept and a language. Also, the signs and the codes that are expressed in various representation forms explain the same meaning to every individual. The sign of a language is effective only when it is expressed in the same manner to others. Moreover, the visual signs can also be interpreted by using the conceptual theory and the language system. The theories of representation when reflective, expresses the true meaning of the objects, which is same for the entire world. It has been argued in the article that codes are critical for deriving appropriate meaning as they are duly considered as the result of social conventions and form a vital part of the culture (Hall 15-64). THIRD ABSTRACT In this article, newspaper is seen as a complex of simultaneous messages, with pictures and captions. According to the readings of the article, the total representation of the newspaper can be segregated into two forms such as visual and textual. The photographs present in newspapers not only comprise written remarks but also images that represents a sense of meaning for the readers. The significance of the readings of this article is to elaborate and analyze the message of the photographs present in the newspapers. According to the author i.e. Barthes, the photograph provides a “perfect analogon” of the representation of the object in the form of a picture. Moreover, the author portrayed six “connotation procedures”, wherein the photograph forms a suggestive meaning. These included trick effect, pose, objects, photogenic, aestheticism and syntax. As per the viewpoints of Barthes, the analysis concerning the significance of the photographs can be regarded as an analytical method of photographers. The article used metaphors in understanding the nature of the photographs. In this reading, the significance of the images and the texts and their moral along with social representation has also been stated. In precise, the article represents emotive feeling of the author towards the awareness of photographs, which has lost its importance in the past (Barthes 15-31). FOURTH ABSTRACT Globalization and the modern technology of internet have certainly generated a greater space for political discourse that formed transnational connectedness and intersection networks associated with cultural, financial along with political activities. The findings of the study revealed the significance of Weblog as a media of information amid the citizens and the professionals. It has been argued that the media is increasing its connectivity and using Weblog as a source of networking and providing information online to the people of America. According to the readings of this article, the traditional way of providing information is replaced by the introduction of the online sources. In this regard, it has often been argued that the emergence of Blog in this present day context has changed worldwide news arena in terms of developing greater interrelation between news providers and audiences. In accordance with the readings of the article, the use of weblog has increased the speed and the richness of journalism than the traditional method. Thus, it can be affirmed that globalization along with the introduction of pioneering technological advancements have upgraded the sphere of journalism through building effective communication throughout national boundaries. It can be affirmed from a broader outlook that the article depicts a harmonizing interrelation which prevails between the weblog and the traditional journalism. The professional news report assists in mapping the blogosphere and upgrading the process of journalism. The blogosphere brings together the people and their voices beyond the boundaries and also outside the reach of traditional journalism at large (Reese, Rutigliano, Hyun, and Jeong 235-261). Works Cited Barthes, Roland. . The Photographic Message. Glasgow: William and Collins and Sons, 1977. Print. Gasher, Mike. “Might Makes Right: News Reportage as a Discursive Weapon in the War in Iraq, 2004”. News Reportage In The War In Iraq (2004): 209-224. Print. Hall, Stuart. The Work of Representation. Representation, Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. London: Sage Publications, 1997. Print. Reese, Stephen D, Lou Rutigliano, Kideuk Hyun, and Jaekwan Jeong.“Mapping the Blogosphere, 2007”. Professional and Citizen-based Media in the Global News ArenaJournalism 8.3 (2007): 235-261. Print. Read More