CNN effect jako przykład wpływu mediów na podejmowanie decyzji w zakresie konfliktów zbrojnych

The article explains how the media can influence authorities’ decisions on participation in military conflicts and in what circumstances the real influence exists. The phenomenon derives its name from the CNN TV station which was the first to report on the war in the Persian Gulf. Now by the term the CNN effect we understand the influence of all kinds of media on shaping foreign affairs and international policy. The CNN effect works on two separate planes: through affecting society’s opinion and authorities’ views. It is stressed that in order to influence authorities’ decisions the press articles must be constructed in a special way. On the one hand, they must be emotionally involved and full of empathy, on the other hand, they must be critical of administration. The article presents a model of correlation between politics and the media