The CNN effect is a theory in political science and media studies that postulates that the development of the popular 24-hour international television news channel known as Cable News Network or CNN had a major impact on the conduct of states' foreign policy in the late Cold War period and that CNN and its subsequent industry competitors have had a similar impact in the post-Cold War era. While the free press has, in its role as the "Fourth Estate", always had an influence on policy-making in representative democracies, proponents of the CNN effect argue that "the extent, depth, and speed of the new global media have created a new species of effects" qualitatively different from those which preceded them historically ^[1]. The term's coinage reflects the pioneering role played by the network CNN in the field, whose "saturation coverage" of events like the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, the fall of Communism in eastern Europe, the first Gulf War, and the Battle of Mogadishu was viewed as being strongly influential in bringing images and issues to the immediate forefront of American political consciousness and beyond. Despite these origins, the term as used generally refers to a broad range of real time modern media, and is not exclusive to CNN or even 24-hour broadcast cable news. Political science is the field of the social sciences concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems and political behavior. ... CNN or Cable News Network is a cable television network that was founded in 1980 by Ted Turner & Reese Schonfeld [1]. It is a division of the Turner Broadcasting System, owned by Time Warner. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. ... A foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how a particular country will interact with the other countries of the world. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public press for its citizens and their associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... In modern times, television reporters are part of the fourth estate. ... Representative democracy is a form of democracy founded on the exercise of popular sovereignty by the peoples representatives. ... The Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, is a major cable television network founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. ... For the newspaper that gave News Corporation its name, see The News (Adelaide). ... The Unknown Rebel - This famous photo, taken on 5 June 1989 by photographer Jeff Widener, depicts a lone protester who tried to stop four advancing tanks until he was pulled into the crowd by several onlookers. ... This is a history of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. ... Combatants UN Coalition Republic of Iraq Commanders Norman Schwarzkopf, Peter de la Billière, Khalid bin Sultan, Saleh Al-Muhaya, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi Saddam Hussein Strength 883,863 360,000 Casualties 378 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 dead, 75,000 wounded The Gulf War or the Persian Gulf War... Combatants USSOF, UNOSOM II Somali National Alliance-affiliated militias Commanders William F. Garrison Mohamed Farrah Aidid Strength 160 2,000+ Casualties U.S. 18 killed 73 wounded 1 captured Malaysia 1 killed 7 wounded Pakistan 2 wounded Militia and civilians 1,000+ killed 3,000+ wounded Task Force Ranger achieved... It has been suggested that Real-time computing be merged into this article or section. ...

In his research paper Clarifying the CNN Effect: An examination of Media Effects According to Type of Military Intervention, George Washington University associate professor Steven Livingston identifies three distinct aspects that fall under the broad term of the CNN effect. The media may function alternately or simultaneously as   The George Washington University (GWU), or informally, G.W., is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian university located in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1821 as the Columbian College on land provided by President George Washington, the university has since developed into a leading educational and research institution. ... A professor is a senior teacher and researcher, usually in a college or university. ...

1) a policy agenda-setting agent, 2) an impediment to the achievement of desired policy goals, and 3) an accelerant to policy decisionmaking. (Italics in original) ^[2]

By focusing instantaneous and ongoing media coverage on a particular conflict, international incident, or diplomatic initiative, the news cycle effectively demands political attention, as governing politicians attempt to demonstrate that they are "on top of" current issues. The effect has been, according to Margaret Belknap, that "[t]he advent of real time news coverage has led to immediate public awareness and scrutiny of strategic decisions and military operations as they unfold" ^[3]. Deeper penetration and wider broadcast of statements and actions by public figures may increase transparency, but it can also complicate sensitive diplomatic relationships between states or force an official reaction from governments that would otherwise prefer to minimize political risk by remaining noncommittal. The information revolution and spread of global mass media through the Internet and international 24-hour news thus has the effect of accelerating the policy-making process, requiring a faster tempo of decision and action in order to forestall the appearance of a leadership vacuum. Diplomat redirects here. ... The term News cycle refers to the cycle between releases of news media, such as the 24-hour period between newspapers being released. ... It has been suggested that Real-time computing be merged into this article or section. ... Military stratagem in the Battle of Waterloo. ... Planning, calculating, or the giving or receiving of information. ... In the physical sciences, specifically in optics, a transparent physical object is one that can be seen through. ... A KFC franchise in Kuwait. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

References

1. ↑  Belknap, Margaret H. The CNN Effect: Strategic Enabler or Operational Risk? (pdf). U.S. Army War College Strategy Research Project. 2001.
2. ↑ ↑  Livingston, Steven. Clarifying the CNN Effect: An Examination of Media Effects According to Type of Military Intervention (pdf). Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Joan Shorenstein Center for Press and Politics. 1997.

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External links

• "CNN effect" is Not Clear-Cut, essay by Indiana University School of Law professor Fred H. Cate, in Humanitarian Affairs Review. 2002.
• "The CNN Effect": How 24-Hour News Coverage Affects Government Decisions and Public Opinion, Brookings Institute/Harvard University forum transcript. 2002.
• The "CNN Effect:" TV and Foreign Policy, Center for Defense Information America's Defense Monitor transcript. 1995.
• The CNN effect may have some relation to idea of "CNNing."