The Day the Earth Stood Still

So how does this movie relate to my topic? Well, I found three examples of how it actually does relate.

In the beginning of the film, when H.P Cullenburg is reporting, he mentions the anxiety and concern that is going on but immediately shifts to talking about “signs of normalcy” and how it is a beautiful spring day and the tourist crowd is around public monuments. This shows how even when things aren’t going so well the media tries to put up a good front. Which then leads back to my topic of the press shaping public opinion. If the media stresses that everything is “normal” will the public remain calm and continue with their day-to-day routine?

Another example is when Drew Pearson is conducting his TV radio broadcast and talking about the arrival of the spaceship, but then all of a sudden a note is handed to him during the broadcast. He then shifts gears and starts saying that there is no reasonable cause for alarm because the rumors are absolutely false and based on hysteria. Obviously, in the note, Pearson was ordered to not scare the public and tell them whatever is happening is complete bogus. Again, the media shaping the public’s views.

Lastly, when Bobby and Mr. Carpenter are interviewed near the spaceship, Mr. Carpenter exclaims, “I am fearful when I see people substituting fear for reason.” The news reporter immediately cuts him off and moves on to talking to another person. That wasn’t the answer the news reporter was looking for and it doesn’t make good TV.