Could the CNN Effect Exist Without Satellite Television's Influence?

This essay examines the CNN effect, which refers to the significant impact of news and media on government and public decision-making, particularly in foreign policy. It explores the role of satellite television in amplifying the CNN effect by enabling faster and wider dissemination of information. The essay discusses how the advent of satellite television, exemplified by CNN International, has increased transparency and influenced global events, while also raising concerns about media manipulation and the potential for biased reporting. It further analyzes the relationship between the CNN effect and satellite television, highlighting how satellite technology has facilitated real-time information sharing, shaped public opinion, and influenced political responses to crises around the world. The essay concludes by considering the ethical and legal challenges of maintaining balanced and objective reporting in the age of globalized media.

Running head: COULD THERE HAVE BEEN NO ‘CNN EFFECT’ BEFORE THE
BIRTH OF SATELLITE TELEVISION?
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COULD THERE HAVE BEEN NO ‘CNN EFFECT’ BEFORE THE BIRTH OF SATELLITE
TELEVISION?
[Author]
[Institution]

COULD THERE HAVE BEEN NO ‘CNN EFFECT’ BEFORE THE BIRTH OF
SATELLITE TELEVISION?
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Essay
Introduction
The decision making and consumer spending depend on media information and
awareness that created by them about the particular topic and issue. The essay will provide
information about CNN effect and birth of satellite television (Kirkpatrick, 2015). Both
innovations have the significant impact on communication and influencing the perceptions of the
population. The CNN effect is identified and analysed after the birth of satellite television. This
invention has influenced the communication activities and operations due to less costly and time-
consuming functions. The essay will identify the contribution of satellite television impact on the
CNN functions and advancement in the exchange of information.
Discussion
CNN effect
The CNN effect refers to certain news and media activities that have a significant impact
on the decision making of government and people. The term was first used during the Persian
Gulf war that suggested that consumer spending is slowing down during catastrophic events as
people were preferring to stay home to watch the news and stay abreast of current events. The
CNN effect also is known as the theory of political science and media study that present the
news about the crisis of humanitarian. The 24-hour international television news channel is
recognized as the network of CNN that have the major impact on the development of foreign
policies at the time of cold war (Werman, 2015). The first impact of CNN effect was identified

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when heartbreaking footage of striving children in Somalia pressured US official to send the
army there.
The policymakers have acknowledged the need for the international news channel that
can provide the information about the issues for human society across the globe. The need of
sharing news and information with global leaders was initially done with the help of television
and supported to manage the crisis. The current example of CNN effect can be understood
through the incident of Osama bin Laden. The Americans have taken advantage of all news
channels to spread the propaganda against the United States. Moreover, CNN effects are having
a direct impact on the foreign policy development for the Afghanistan issue. In this particular
event, the media is driving the political responses that remain a source of academic interest (Su
and et al., 2015). The notion that media needs to consider for managing the decision of
policymakers were welcomed by the world leaders to provide an indicative way to manage the
crisis.
The CNN effects are having the debate over numbers of reasons. The primary issue that
having the direct impact on the representation of information and distracting the society from
non-interventional activities. The pressure of media is affecting decision making process of
national and local governments that increasing the cold war. The major agenda for CNN effect
change in foreign policies and managing the crisis. The media is using communication and
presentation method for the intervention of crisis and providing a sober assessment of issues
(Hellmueller, and Li, 2015). However, the use false news and manipulation of information are
influencing the capable tactical decision of the government. The complex process and media

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matrix are having significant pressure on the political scenario to maintain the ground troops and
intervention. The implementation of blunt policy trusting the CNN effect is increasing the
forcible decision making over negative media news.
In the current era of the internet, the CNN effect continues to influence the
communication and intervention of crisis all around the globe. The communication through
satellite is increasing transparency but creating more pressure on the government bodies. In
addition to this, the rise of global media has received the wisdom claims that such developments
are having a radical impact (Lin and et al., 2015). The CNN effect is increasing through internet
media that based upon the alternative sources that advocated by mainstream media and political
elites.
Birth and impact of satellite television
The birth of satellite television was on July 23rd, 1962 as the ten million people watched
the historic broadcast as Telstar. The live transmission of information through television has
influenced the communication industry and began a new era of broadcasting of news and
information. The satellite television media has changed the culture of managing the relationship
transmission of messages and use of values. The satellite has also changed the way of news
distribution and receives around the world. The privatization of news media and use of fast
mediums through strong sources of information sharing has helped to break the longstanding
monopoly of governments (Prenzel, and Vanclay, 2014). The impact of the satellite is having a
positive impact on global new process and planning of the activities related to highly concerned

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issues. However, the critics have raised questions over satellite television as it demolishing the
culture.
The satellite television is having the direct impact on traditional oral culture threatens the
individual sense of cultural identity. By this innovation, the vision of global village become
increasingly possible as the cost of communication to longer distance falls and empowered the
media. The internet is providing a platform for sharing information through image, video and
documents more effective manners. Continues improvement in satellite television is helping to
offer more details stories of crisis and changes in the society. The CNN International was
launched after use of first satellite television. Now, it is available to more than 102 million
households in more than 217 countries (Elasmar, 2014). The satellite television has changed
global distribution of information and increased the transparency. The impact satellite television
can be identified through improvement of knowledge of people about technological and political
limitations. The major impact of satellite television is having a significant impact on two-way
communication that encouraging the knowledge and filling the gaps.
The control of government over information was necessary as global news agency BBC
has launched the satellite TV channel. The government is looking for official sate-driven
viewpoints through direct satellite broadcasting. The BBC and CNN are able to transmit news
around government gatekeepers and to the living rooms of people. The satellite television singles
are hard to manipulate (Crawford and et al., 2015). The key benefits of satellite television are
involving easier communication, offering and receiving of cross-border information as well as
the power of shaping the decisions of governments. In addition to this, the CNN activities are

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increased after the birth of satellite network and receiving information through the television.
The global newscast through satellite is contributing bringing changes in cultural and technical
aspects.
Relation between CNN effect and satellite television
The CNN effect has grown with the implementation of satellite television facility that
helping to create awareness and offer information to the world audience. The CNN has been
launched in regional languages at the different locations of Europe, Asia, Africa and South
America. The language was the major barrier to the development of communication and
overcome the issues related to human approach. The CNN effects have increased focus on
certain issues that affect the social activities and utilization of resources. The social approach to
managing information and effective communication of information related to different events in
various locations is helping to encourage the partnership approach (Siddiqi, 2015). The satellite
television has changed traditional approach to journalism practices of broadcasting the
information and recording of data to make use in future.
The fast and accurate communication is supporting the government to make the
discussion over the different issues and craft improvement in the knowledge and wisdom of
people. The collaboration of CNN and satellite television is having customization of information
and eliminating confusion by offering the real-time information and data. The live broadcasting
of information that offered by CNN is developing job opportunities in the mass media sector as
commercial use of personalized camera work and development of the new course of
management is beneficial for audience and society (Barwise, and Picard, 2014). The media is

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using communication and presentation method for the intervention of crisis and providing a
sober assessment of issues. However, the use false news and manipulation of information are
influencing the capable tactical decision of the government. The complex process and media
matrix are having significant pressure on the political scenario to maintain the ground troops and
intervention.
Moreover, the birth of satellite television is having a positive impact on the cultural
exportation of the activities and understanding of the news that rooted in the national values. The
CNN is developing and broadcasting the news by focusing on the world. The major dilemma for
information and communication in current time is to maintain the ethical and legal approach to
maintain the interest of audience and utilization of resources (Hasanen and et al., 2014). The
implementation of blunt policy trusting the CNN effect is increasing the forcible decision
making over negative media news.
The pressure of media is affecting decision making process of national and local governments
that increasing the cold war. The complex process and media matrix are having significant
pressure on the political scenario to maintain the ground troops and intervention. Continues
improvement in satellite television is helping to offer more details stories of crisis and changes in
the society (Steemers, 2014). The CNN International was launched after use of first satellite
television.
The major reasons behind “CNN effect”
As it is now clear that CNN effect is regarded as a theory and that is 24 hours news
network that influences the general political and economic climate. After the birth of satellite

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television, this effect came into being (Livingston, 2011). There are some of the major reasons
for which CNN effect came into existence due to satellite television. As the CNN effect was
launched in 1980 due to satellite television without it, the launch of CNN effect was impossible.
This TV has played an essential role in introducing the CNN effect to the world.
Long back in the mid-20th century, when satellite TV was not invented, that time people
used to get the news and information after many days from its occurrence. This had created
information lag among the world. After that the satellite television was introduced to the world,
CNN found its way to the nation (Fahmy, Wanta and Nisbet, 2012). Firstly, CNN effect was
launched in American Nation and it was all about the speed at which enabled the cable news in
spreading the information and new to the world. This is how news seemingly made events from
far away that was otherwise would not have been noticed. Well informed people before the birth
of cable was experiencing a delay in information from Asia and other parts of the world as it
used to take time to get print in the newspaper. However, this kind of information lag panicked
the stock players due to delay in information about the share market.
Due to satellite television, the gap or lag of information got filled as this gave birth to
CNN effect in the nation. Along with that, global businessmen always get losses in their business
due to this information gap because the news about any disaster or other calamity got heard when
already their supplies have reached (Seib, 2008). This caused them a heavy loss in the
businesses. CNN found out the need for this gap to be filled in order to stop the loss of life and
property in every aspect. Furthermore, satellite TV was the only source through which CNN
effect could be broadcasted on TV and thus, this played a crucial role in broadcasting the 24/7

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news channel in the country of US and later around the world (Van Belle and Potter, 2011). The
CNN displayed the news about the terrorism around the globe and this made them aware the
people of other countries. Further, people want to remain aware of the threats of war which was
happening in one or the country of the globe and could hit anytime in their nation as well.
Because of all these needs, the idea of CNN effect was popped up in the minds of Robert “Ted”
Turner and due to satellite TV, he could launch his idea of CNN to the world (Kalyango, 2011).
Importance of “CNN effect”
It is clear from the above scenario, that after the launch of satellite TV, CNN also found
its way to the world and came into existence for many reasons. Further, the introduction of CNN
brought numerous benefits for the individuals, organizations and for the nation. The first and the
foremost significance was that it eliminated the information gap in the world (Robinson and et
al., 2010). For instance, an event occurred in Asia that news was reached to America after a time
span of a week. Thus, this news even went unnoticed from the eyes of well-informed people and
this used to create a major loss for the great leaders, government, philosophers, global
businessmen, etc.
Further, the introduction of CNN has helped them in getting the news and information
immediately and through this, these people could prepare themselves in advance and can stop the
disaster to happen (Glover, 2011). Moreover, the CNN effect brought speed at which cable news
could be able to spread as much information and people could stay connected with the world.
Moreover, it also helped the businesses who were working globally to identify the current
situation of the country where the products got exported so that they could stop its consignment

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in middle in order to bear a heavy loss. Most importantly, it saved the life of stock marketers
who couldn’t get the accurate information about the drop and rise of share price because it
helped the stock panics which were based on international events because they had to believe
about the change in situation since the column was written (Cottle, 2009). After the birth of CNN
effect, they used to get the actual information or live information about the stock trading and
they could save themselves from biggest shock.
Moreover, CNN effect found to be important because it was referred to as the effect
which media have on politics and government at the time of political conflict. Along with that,
during wartime, CNN found to be really helpful for people to know about the situation of the
nation and what actually is going around (Balnaves and et al., 2009). Furthermore, its effect on
the decision taken during natural dictator was also proved to be net-worthy because videos and
images were broadcasted worldwide instantly during or after the natural disasters. Moreover,
these images broadcasted by CNN convince the people for donating the money and food to the
needy and it also helped in pressurizing the government to take immediate action. For instance,
the CNN effect played a major role in razing the aid following during Asian tsunami in 2004, the
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Sichuan earthquake in China during the year 2008. By
February 2005, the international community donated $500 per person who was affected by the
Asian tsunami as compared to only 50 cents to each person who were affected in Uganda’s war
before CNN. Thus, it can be said that “CNN effect” played an essential role in providing
immediate help to the affected people for getting their livelihood back (Kalyango, 2011).

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In addition to this, the CNN effect also became a greater help for the poor people in
getting food, clothing, and shelter for them as it used to bring into the notice of government
about the current situation (Bahador, 2011). For example, in the early 1990s, when CNN
broadcast the starving children of Somalia in graphic images and the public forced the President
George H.W Bush to send their troops to this nation to stem the disaster. Thus, there are several
instances through which it can be viewed that CNN effect proved to be very important for
connecting the people to the world and improving the condition of various nations.
Current scenario of “CNN effect”
CNN has always played an essential role in connecting the people to the globe and also it
helped them to get updated regarding the news prevailing worldwide. Further, the CNN effect
has marked an era because it brought the revolution in the world. The introduction of CNN effect
was all about the speed was regarded as the fasted network at that time because the news and
information were broadcasted immediately after its occurrence (Gil de Zúñiga, Jung, and
Valenzuela, 2012). However, in current time, this effect has been lowered down because the
speed has been overtaken by social media websites. These sites are spreading the news way
faster than any other media. The moment event occurs it comes over the media, in fact, a live
coverage of those events are broadcasted on the social media platforms. Moreover, the users of
social media have increased on a faster pace and they remain active on this media all the time
which help them to remain updated regarding the news and events (Gilboa, E., and et al., 2016).
On the contrary, CNN effect is still going around and news channels are using this as
their base to broadcast the news worldwide on a TV but at the same time, they are using internet

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for publishing its major part of news because the internet users are more in the world than TV
users. Therefore, the effect of CNN has reduced by the time and other Media especially social
media’s effect has grown more. In other words, it can be said that the CNN effect that is the
theory that real-time information as well as the prolonged focus over a particular event has its
market impact and is still valid, however, it is accurately renamed as Twitter effects instead of
tying them back to the cable news channel (White, 2016). Thus, humans are now in the world of
wireless mediums, so cable news is regarded as far from the dominant medium.
Conclusion
From this essay, it could be concluded that “CNN effect” marked an era of the
20th century as well as the 21st century. It helped in gaining the information and to remain
updated about the outside world. Further, CNN effect reduced the time lag which generally gave
major shocks to the share traders and businessmen. This could have happened only because of
satellite television without which CNN could have never launched. Thus, CNN effect could not
have been there before the birth of satellite television. Moreover, CNN effect was launched with
an idea to cover the political and economic condition of the nation in order to identify the current
situation. However, it covered the wider area worldwide and brought many solutions. Currently,
CNN effect is losing its impact because of the social media platforms.

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