Isabel Llacer

Professor A. Postema
Slavic R5B
28 November 2016
Annotated Bibliography

"Walter Cronkite Remembers His Tet Offensive Editorial." Interview by Newseum.

Newseum. Washington, D.C., 27 Feb. 1996. Television.
American broadcaster Walter Cronkite is questioned about his role in the Vietnam War as
a journalist and reporter, most specifically his coverage through an editorial on the Tet Offensive,
which was one of the key turning points in public opinion during the Vietnam War. Cronkite
clarifies his role in affecting President Johnsons decision making in future policies; while many
believe Cronkites editorial was a large blow to Johnsons faith in the war, Cronkite describes
how his opinion existed as one last straw that simply confirmed what Johnson already realized
about the lack of reason in the Tet Offensive.
This demonstrates that while Cronkite played a key role in representing public sentiment,
his editorial did not necessarily directly correlate to Johnsons decision-making.
I can use excerpts from Cronkites interview to support my point that while television
may not necessarily have directly affected policies during the war, it was definitely taken into
consideration due to its accurate reflection of popular opinion and its significance in shifting
American perspectives.

The Quiet Mutiny. Dir. Charles Denton. World In Action, Granada Television, 1970.

A documentary that was highly controversial at the time, Charles Denton informs of the
ill American feelings of soldiers in Vietnam towards American authorities, or lifers. This
resentment of U.S. military bureaucrats is described to cause revolts among the ranks, senseless
violence, and shaken faith in Americas role in the Vietnam War. The documentaries pinpointed
the frequency of friendly fire as the cause of these soldiers rebellions and their key role in the
downfall of the war.
The significance of this documentary lies in its position on the forefront of reporting the
gritty reality of the common soldiers life in Vietnam in a time when America was still largely
cheering on their American boys to help defeat the communists. The backlash Denton received
from television executives serves as a prime example of this resistance to a negative perspective.
I can use this documentary as a significant example of vivid reporting and the use of
television to resist common sentiment and reveal unexplored truths. Additionally, I can utilize the
context of this documentary to comment on the evolution of censorship in the war.

Berg, Rick. "Losing Vietnam: Covering The War In An Age Of Technology." In, Rowe,
John Carlos and Rick Berg, editors. The Vietnam War And American Culture. New York:
Columbia University Press, 1991.
Rick Berg discusses the role of television and film in documenting the war both during
the violence and after the war itself. Berg explores American mentalities regarding television as a
new reporting medium; he describes how television seemed immediate, objective, and
unmediated, while in reality reporters mediated the material in an illusion of directness.
Commenting on the real quality of images, Berg contrasts television coverage with radio
reports.

Berg presents a cynical view of television reports of the war, in parallel with the view that
television presented new issues in journalism and what many consider to be the delusion of
America during the earlier stages of the Vietnam War.
I can utilize excerpts of Bergs claims to reflect my point of the effectiveness of television
in presenting information to the American public and the great sway it had as a new medium. I
can use his argument as analysis of television as a tool of journalism in contrast with radio.

Heilbronn, Lisa M. "Coming Home A Hero: The Changing Image Of The Vietnam Vet On
Prime Time Television." Journal of Popular Film and Television (Washington, D.C.), 1985.
Heilbronn thoroughly examines the role of the Vietnam War in fictional television
depictions following the war; she comments on the often inaccurate depictions of veterans.
Generally, Vietnam is used as an easy addition of complexity to a character, creating a negative
typical image of a troubled, isolated outsider in a supporting role of the show. Eventually these
roles evolved into a more positive depiction in which central vet characters offered strength and a
variety of skills; yet, this new image ignored the value of the war and simply focused on the
losses of the war itself.
The failure of television to either accurately depict the mental consequences of the
violence or to hone in on the justification of the war itself highlights a resistance to a loss of faith
in the rationale of American involvement overseas.
By utilizing Heilbronns analysis of the roles of vets in television series, I can explore
both the role of fictional television in depicting the war and overarching feelings toward Vietnam
veterans at the time.

Turner, Kathleen J. Lyndon Johnson's Dual War: Vietnam And The Press. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press, 1985.
Turner thoroughly articulates Johnsons struggle to balance his policies regarding
Vietnam and his depiction in the press. Generally, Johnson failed to utilize the new medium and
came off as cold and unattached during televised press conferences. She points out the role of
broadcasted press conferences in reflecting demand of the public and their success in driving out
truth regarding policy changes abroad. Turner points to negative perception of Johnson and his
policy and public opinions complex, integral relationship with the press.
Turners explanation as to how Johnson failed to rally support for the war reveals the key
role of the press as a mediator between government officials, Vietnam policies, and public
sentiment.
By employing Turners material, I am enabled to make a concrete comment on the power
of television during the war and its key role in determining the American publics perception of
not only Johnson, but American government involvement overseas regarding Vietnam.