Global News Broadcasting in the Pre-Television Era: A Cross-National Comparative Analysis of World War II Newsreel Coverage. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Althaus, Scott L.; Usry, Kaye; Richards, Stanley; Van Thuyle, Bridgette; Aron, Isabelle; Huang, Lu; Leetaru, Kalev; Muehlfeld, Monica; Snouffer, Karissa; Weber, Seth; Zhang, Yuji; Phalen, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of broadcasting & electronic media. Volume 62:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 167
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Broadcasting -- Periodicals; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; 384.54
• DOI: 10.1080/08838151.2017.1375500
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-8151

Abstract

Abstract : Although largely forgotten, the newsreel industry was the first news broadcasting system to convey visual news reports to a worldwide audience. This study presents the first systematic, cross-national comparison of the news content delivered through this broadcasting system. Our analysis confirms that similar news content was internationally distributed and editorially "glocalized" to fit local audience tastes. Contrary to their reputation for being light and frivolous, newsreels during World War II were usually descriptive and straightforward. We conclude that the global newsreel system should be seen as a rudimentary precursor to today's satellite news channels.