During the first half of the 20th Century the nation and the media had to face
some of the gravest crises in modern history. Media responses to these crises suggest the
basic questions about the relationship between the media and modern society. In a final
analysis the media during the national crisis of 1917-1945 should be judged as a
constructive force for combating immense national threats to democracy. Most of the
media's actions demonstrate constructive patriotism.
World War I was a major crises for this nation and led to media coverage and
foreign correspondence like never before. When the United States entered the war the
CPI was formed which coordinated the media and war effort. Their job was to inform
and influence the press. The information was usually accurate but it is easy to see how
the CPI could use the press to further the American war effort. The CPI had newspaper
editors voluntarily censor their material according to the CPI's guidelines of material that
should be kept secret. Since the press supported the war, they cooperated with the CPI.
Even though newspapers had information the public would be interested in, they would
censor that information because they believed in the overall goal of furthering the war
effort, not giving information to the enemy, and mobilizing public support for the war.
The same is true for the Great Depression.
During the Great Depression President Hoover had asked the press to use caution
and not to make matters worse. It is said that newspapers "did not need the nudge"
(Sloan, Startt, 324). Instead of reporting on specific matters about the economy or
political action, newspapers published happier stories as not to upset their readers. This
was an effort that newspapers thought was for the common good. By not upsetting or
alarming their readers, widespread panic would not happen. Media during the Great
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