VIETNAM WAR ISSUES INVESTIGATION
To what extent did the newly emerging media paint a negative picture of Australian Soldiers fighting the Vietnam War and fuel the growing anti-War movement of the late 60's and early 70's?
The time in between the late 50's and early 60's had radically changed how and where people sourced their news. Televisions sales were rapidly increasing and news through the television was fast becoming extremely popular in homes, due to its convenience and ease of viewing. Everyone could now watch what was happening on the other side of the world, live in the comfort of their own living room. At this same point in time, America and Australia were beginning to send its first troops in to Vietnam, in what was going to become their longest war. The Vietnam War was going to be the first and last war with no media censorship; where the public could see the entirety of the war unfold in their living room, every horrific detail live without review from the Army.
English: The Long Tan memorial cross situated on t...
English: The memorial plague hanging temporarily o...
English: The Memorial Cross at the site of the Bat...As a result, the Vietnam War had tough opposition and had sparked disrespect to the soldiers that fought in Vietnam from both the American and Australian public. Horrific pictures, like the Napalm girl, naked and traumatised; and news and pictures of the My Lai massacre, shocked the public and triggered massive antiwar protests that masked the heroism and bravery of the Australian Soldiers.[1: Edwards, P "Australia and the Vietnam War"]