Journalist Showing an Unspoken Truth

Vietnam War, something that brings a rise in people of hurt, anger, sadness. Obviously, not growing up in the war, but losing two great uncles over there the stories I hear are full of hurt. However, there are two sides to every story. Both sides are fighting for something.  Learning about the war every year from 4th grade to senior year in high school, there seemed to be little information in history books and what was taught, I still felt like there was a hole in story. Ron Haeberle along with fell war correspondents and journalists filled in some of those holes as a combat photographer.

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Journalists who reports on war have a constant battle of depicting what is too violent to share versus what the public deserves to know. They have to remain ethical in how they choose to report and remain as neutral in their reporting as possible.  Further, there are risks to every choice a journalist makes especially when reporting on war and must remain as independent as possible.

Sending a journalist into an active war zone has an abundant of dangers and risks. They could be hurt, captured, considered a spy, and see things that will never leave them. Journalist still have feelings, so knowing when and voicing that it is too much is important.

The Vietnam War may be considered the catalyst for reporting and depicting war on national television. This war is frequently alluded to as "first television war." The media demonstrated what truly was going on over in Vietnam. what the media was reporting was vastly different from what governments were telling their country. 

Many argue that the media led to US losing the war, however experts have rebutted this statement and explained how media supported US efforts. 

Reporting on war may be considered as one of the most important jobs ever. A reporter must balance the truth, independence, and his or her own feelings towards it. Some journalists have been accused of treason when reporting on war and showing the bad side of their country. 

Haeberle who photographed the brutality of My Lai, a battle in Vietnam explains his role as a photographer. He explains he was to capture what was happening during the battle. He too explains how it was difficult to see bloody and lifeless bodies surrounding him. He though felt it was important to keep shooting photos to capture the truth of the massacre. 

Media and news organization have to balance what is too violent to show to their audiences versus the public's right to know the truth about situations that are violent. War correspondents have to balance reporting on the facts versus staying mentally healthy for the sights they see. They must stay honest, be fair, be independent, trust in what they are reporting, and know when to voice concern over their mental health.

Haeberle helped changed reporting on war by capturing innocent people being shot and killed by our very own soldiers. It left an ugly taste in Americans mouths, but was important displaying the true facts of the situation that was happening abroad.