A reflection on nationalism in media post 9/11

The Waisbord reading this week got me thinking about nationalism and patriotism in the media. Unless I read it wrong, the author time and again makes the point that media has little impact on national identity. However, what about the other way around? Rather than looking to influence people through media, we can instead get a sense of the sense of belonging within a nation. In other words, popular media in particular is a bellwether of the public feeling of nationalism.

A perfect example of this is television coverage of baseball. Before 9/11 studio analysis would continue until and sometimes through the first pitch of the game. Afterwards, it became common practice for the national anthem to get full coverage and substantial pageantry came along with it including, people waving flags, fireworks and even F-16 flyovers. Similarly, the seventh inning stretch was seen by networks previously as an opportunity for a few extra advertisements during the commercial break. Today, at places like Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park to name two, coverage continues as the crowd is led in singing "God Bless America."

The media is, at least for the most part, out to sell to the public. Whether they're selling papers or air time, most are designed to make a profit. They react to public sentiment more quickly and effectively than they could ever shape it.

A perfect example of this is television coverage of baseball. Before 9/11 studio analysis would continue until and sometimes through the first pitch of the game. Afterwards, it became common practice for the national anthem to get full coverage and substantial pageantry came along with it including, people waving flags, fireworks and even F-16 flyovers. Similarly, the seventh inning stretch was seen by networks previously as an opportunity for a few extra advertisements during the commercial break. Today, at places like Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park to name two, coverage continues as the crowd is led in singing "God Bless America." A perfect example of this is television coverage of baseball. Before 9/11 studio analysis would continue until and sometimes through the first pitch of the game. Afterwards, it became common practice for the national anthem to get full coverage and substantial pageantry came along with it including, people waving flags, fireworks and even F-16 flyovers. Similarly, the seventh inning stretch was seen by networks previously as an opportunity for a few extra advertisements during the commercial break. Today, at places like Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park to name two, coverage continues as the crowd is led in singing "God Bless America."

The media is, at least for the most part, out to sell to the public. Whether they're selling papers or air time, most are designed to make a profit. They react to public sentiment more quickly and effectively than they could ever shape it.