One central theme of this capsule of American history, as mentioned earlier in this blog, is the effect that newspapers, the most common source for information, had on the general populace. The ability for this mode of media to shape public opinion created great powers for the editors and supporters of various papers. These media moguls could influence public opinion without much oversight. This idea is further demonstrated by the association, at the end of the nineteenth - century, that newspapers had with separate political parties and how they shaped their opinions accordingly. This was evident in the Democratic and Republican newspapers that supported the different candidates during the election season of 1896. This type of press is called advocacy journalism. That is, they were advocates of a certain cause or politic. Supposedly, the twentieth-century created a new type of journalism, in contrast to this support of one-sided political issues, referred to as an objective press.
The massive ability to generate media in this post-modern era, such as T.V. and internet, raises many new issues regarding the ethics of the press and their ability to influence a tremendous amount of people. This is evident in many nineteenth and twentieth century situations. For example, the availability and tone of the press during the Vietnam War shaped public opinion against those in power. (1.) Infamously, Walter Cronkite's statement that the war is not winnable and his call for negotiations following the Tet offensive probably changed the length of American involvement in Vietnam.(2.) The fact that Dan Rather, untruthfully, tried to damage the military record of George W. Bush demonstrates another attempt at changing or influencing public opinion. What the Haymarket era media demonstrates, taken in context with the continuing ideas of modern press, is that those who write the news have a keen ability to dictate what happens in the public community.
The consequences of media control is quite evident in the Haymarket event. The widespread animosity and frenzy created the ultimately demise of the "Martyrs" from the Anarchist movement. Though the history of this event tends to sympathize with the Martyrs of the time period, demonstrating a public tendency to the honorable ideals of democracy and a freedom of speech, modern public opinion continues to be directed into a different direction based on these same attributes of fear and frenzy. Take, for example, the reactions of the American public towards the Muslim community in the United States after the cowardly attack of September 11, 2001. According to an article in the Turkish Press, a recent gallop pole states that, "39 percent of Americans admit to being prejudiced against Muslims and that nearly a quarter say that they would not want a Muslim for a neighbor."(3.) The prejudices were instigated not only from media outlets but also from the nation's leaders. Politicians such as former President Bush, Rudy Giuliani, and Mike Huckabee have all incorporated the term Islamofascists into their understanding of "the greatest threat this country has ever faced."(4.)
So what is the result of this prejudicial atmosphere? It could be argued that the use of detention, torture, and imprisonment of suspected Islamite terrorists at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba is a similar example of extreme reaction, supported by a public who has been influenced by authority. It is apparent that there are detainees at Guantanamo Bay who are detained based upon legitimate national security issues. However, there are people detained at the facility whose cases are not so clear cut. One example is Brandon Mayfield, an attorney, who was falsely accused of masterminding the 2004 Madrid bombings.(5.)Another issue is how the detainees are treated once imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. Many of the Islamic detainees are exposed, in attempt to gain information, to religious ridicule and prejudice. The Army chaplain from Guantanamo states, "prisoner abuse using religion include, the use of satanic circles in interrogation rooms and the use of women interrogators to exploit conservative Muslim culture..."(6.) On returning to the United States this Army chaplain was arrested, shackled at the waist, wrists, and ankles, and forced to where blackened goggles, allegedly, because of his religious ideas. Despite this unusual treatment all charges were dropped. These statements demonstrate not only injustice but political influence as well.
The purpose of these examples is to demonstrate the phenomenon of public opinion and the extent of which it can influence cultural behavior. The Haymarket Affair created an understanding among the average American citizen that the Anarchists were extremist and dangerous. The result of this was a one sided trial as well as a severe blow to the Eight Hour movement and other Labor issues. From a twenty-first century perspective the executed leaders of the Anarchist movement were tried for their ideas and not their actions. Remember, the bomb thrower was never identified. So, how far does freedom of speech go? Modernly, the Muslim religion faces these same kind of prejudices and associations. The tragedy of September 11, 2001 has generated a false image of what this religion is and what it stands for. Hopefully, the study of the injustice of the past can help shed light on the growing problem of Religious intolerance of modern day America.
1. Hallin, Daniel C., "The Media, the War in Vietnam, and Political Support: A Critique of the Thesis of an Oppositional Media", The Journal of Politics, Vol. 26, No. 1, Cambridge Press, 1984.
2. ibid 12.
3. Turkish Press, "US Muslims Plagued by Discrimination after 9/11 Attacks", September 2006, http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=140483.
4. Carroll, James, Islamofascism's Ill Political Wind, The Boston Globe, January 21, 2008.
5. Gipson, Lawrence, Prejudice of Muslim meets Match this Week, The Yale Daily News, April 8, 2008.
6. Selle, Pamela, Former Army Chaplain Speaks on Religious Freedom, Prejudice, The Depauw, April 17, 2009.
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