China's Propaganda in the United States During World War II (open access)

China's Propaganda in the United States During World War II

The study examined China's conduct of its most important overseas propaganda activities in the United States during World War II. The findings showed that the main characteristics of China's propaganda in the United States in the war years included, (a) official propaganda in the United States was operated by the Chinese News Service and its branch offices in several cities; (b) unofficial propaganda involved work by both Americans and Chinese, among them, missionaries, newspapermen, and businessmen who tried to help China for different reasons; (c) both China lobby and Red China lobby, changed people's image about China, either the Nationalists or the Communists; and (d) propaganda toward the overseas Chinese in the United States was to collect donations and stir up patriotism.
Date: August 1980
Creator: Tsang, Kuo-jen
System: The UNT Digital Library
Press Freedom in Saudi Arabia War Reporting: A Case Study of the Gulf and Yemen Wars (open access)

Press Freedom in Saudi Arabia War Reporting: A Case Study of the Gulf and Yemen Wars

This study examined press freedom in Saudi Arabia coverage in two study periods, which are the Gulf and Yemen wars. Six Saudi newspapers, which represent Saudi regions, have been content analyzed. They are: Al Riyadh, Al Yaum, Al Nadwah, Mecca, Okaz, and Al Jazirah. The major questions are: What are the most salient issues Saudi newspapers dealt with in their editorials during the study period? What are the differences between the two periods of study? And what are the differences between the editorial features of the Gulf and Yemen wars? The normative theory-press freedom theory was conducted for this study. The results support the lack of press freedom during the Gulf War. In contrast, some newspapers have significantly improved their performance during the Yemen War, using a higher level of press freedom.
Date: December 2019
Creator: Huraysi, Mohammed
System: The UNT Digital Library
The External Conflict of Modern War Correspondents: Technology's Inevitable Impact on the Extinction of Nostalgic Combat Reporting (open access)

The External Conflict of Modern War Correspondents: Technology's Inevitable Impact on the Extinction of Nostalgic Combat Reporting

Through historical and content analyses of war coverage, this study qualitatively addresses emotional quality, use of sources, and implied use of technology to better understand the tension between Vietnam and Afghanistan war correspondents and their military counterparts. Early American democracy aspired to give total freedom to its people. But the American military, in its quest to uphold the ideas of democracy, has often challenged the freedom of press clause set forth by the United States Constitution. Since the Vietnam era, the relationship between the military and the media has been plagued by questions of censorship, assertions of falsehood, and threats to national security. But it is the technological advancements in both reporting and combat techniques that have caused a disappearance of the nostalgic war coverage that American correspondents once prospered from. The possibility of returning to journalists' vision of unrestricted press access is all but lost due to such advancements.
Date: August 2002
Creator: Horton, James Colby
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Critical Evaluation of Selected Public Relations Functions of the Dallas Police Department Public Information Office (open access)

A Critical Evaluation of Selected Public Relations Functions of the Dallas Police Department Public Information Office

The problem of this study was to determine how well the public information office of the Dallas Police Department performed in three public relations areas: staff consultation, employee communication, and press relations. Interviews were conducted with the command staff of the Dallas Police Department and with nine mass media representatives who had regular contact with both the police department and the public information office. Their answers were compared with public relations principles taken from literature in both the general public relations and the police public relations fields to see if the public information office was succeeding or failing in performing its staff-consultation, employee-communication, and press-relations functions.
Date: August 1973
Creator: Hilbig, John E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Creating Captain America: a Frame Analysis of the Pat Tillman Epic (open access)

Creating Captain America: a Frame Analysis of the Pat Tillman Epic

Pat Tillman—an Arizona Cardinals player who sacrificed everything to serve his country but died in Afghanistan—was initially touted as a true American hero who was killed by enemy fire. In reality, however, the Tillman narrative was based on nothing but military propaganda. This research focused on how mainstream U.S. newspapers used news frames, overall story tone, and news sources before and after the official acknowledgement of the true cause of Tillman's death as fratricide. As hypothesized from C. Wright Mills' "lesser institutions," Antonio Gramsci's hegemony, and Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky's propaganda model, the newspapers generally decreased both direct and indirect references to news frames involving "lesser institutions" (e.g., NFL, Arizona State University) and ideological values (e.g., heroism, patriotism) after the revelation, but they were not critical of the Iraq/Afghanistan wars or the Bush administration at all. In addition, they increased their dependence on official sources and decreased family and friend sources after his cause of death was changed. The results as a whole indicate that in the Tillman saga, the revelation of his true cause of death introduced a significant disruption to the propaganda information system, causing news frames to decrease, but the third filter of the propaganda …
Date: May 2013
Creator: DeWalt, Christina A. Childs
System: The UNT Digital Library
How Hitler Controlled the Press (open access)

How Hitler Controlled the Press

Adolf Hitler advocated total control of the press for many years before he was elected Führer. Almost immediately after he assumed power in 1932, Hitler began writing new laws and regulations that totally exorcised all freedoms from the German press. This study follows the path that Hitler took to control the German press from 1920 until the end of World War II. It utilized translations of documents and statements by men whom Hitler appointed to control the press and books written by experts in the fields of communications as well as men who prosecuted Nazi war criminals after World War II. The study found that the control of the press was indeed a very necessary ingredient in Hitler's climb to power and remained crucial during his reign as Führer.
Date: May 1982
Creator: McConal, Billy Jon
System: The UNT Digital Library
Philosophy and Practice of Personal Journalism with Moral Concern in the Twentieth Century (open access)

Philosophy and Practice of Personal Journalism with Moral Concern in the Twentieth Century

This study seeks to show that a tradition exists of personal journalists who, more than supporting a partisan position, have moral concern and desire reconciliation. Between the First World War and the Hutchins Commission report of 1947, Walter Lippmann and other media critics theorized that journalistic objectivity is impossible, but recognized journalists' responsibility to interpret events to their publics. In the 1930s these new theories coincided with historical events to encourage journalists' personal involvement with their subjects. The work of the best personal journalists, for example, George Orwell and James Agee, resulted from moral concern. This tradition is furthered today in the journalism of Bill Moyers.
Date: December 1989
Creator: Surratt, Marshall N. (Marshall Nash)
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Evaluation of Public Relations as Practiced by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (open access)

An Evaluation of Public Relations as Practiced by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company

This study presents a detailed analysis of the public relations organization, objectives, and practices of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Dallas, Texas. Information sources included interviews with telephone company public relations personnel, company publications, and other publications. The five chapters deal with the history and development of the company and its public relations program, and the organization, functions, and operations of the public relations department. With a long and varied history of public relations activities, the company executes numerous activities for employees, customers, educational institutions, the community, stockholders, and the media. The study recommends that the department establish a committee to formulate long-range public relations goals, initiate a management orientation program, and advertise in area high school and college publications.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Gallagher, Eddye S.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A History of Station WRR: Pioneer in Municipally Owned Radio (open access)

A History of Station WRR: Pioneer in Municipally Owned Radio

This study presents an overall history of WRR, the first municipally owned radio station and describes the problems it encountered by competing in a commercial Dallas market. The study marks the establishment of WRR in 1920 as a signal transmitter for the Dallas Fire Department, its transition to an entertainment station, the addition of WRR-FM, retirement of long-time Station Manager Durward J. Tucker, heavy financial losses, public complaints, format changes, and the sale of the station. A final chapter provides a summary and recommendations for further study, and concludes that WRR should have left the commercial market when its revenue and ratings began to decline.
Date: May 1978
Creator: Sachs, Robin Leslie
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Study of Public Relations Practices of the First National Bank of Fort Worth (open access)

A Study of Public Relations Practices of the First National Bank of Fort Worth

This study examined the organization, goals and scope of the public relations activity of the First National Bank of Fort Worth, Texas. The study's purpose was to examine the public relations function, department structure, process by which goals and policies are determined, the bank's practice of public relations and the process by which effectiveness is evaluated. The bank satisfactorily met several criteria for public relations effectiveness, but the staff was hampered by a lack of formal goals, philosophy or measurement criteria. The study found the bank's senior management to have a passive attitude toward public relations and to discern it ultimately as a marketing or sales promotion tool. The study recommended establishing formal goals, policies and evaluation criteria.
Date: August 1980
Creator: McCorstin, Allen
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Development of Business Week Magazine (open access)

The Development of Business Week Magazine

This study explains the development of Business Week from its beginning in 1929 to 1975 and its changes over this forty-five-year period in format, content and editors. The study shows how Business Week developed, reflecting the history of American business, industry, labor, and the rise of the consumer, and recorded the growth and changes in the magazine's format, news departments, services and features, and staff. The study traces the development of Business Week in three periods, 1929, 1930-1950, and 1955-1975; and concludes that Business Week is the leading magazine publication in the business press. The sources of data for this study primarily include the executives of Business Week and the magazine itself.
Date: December 1977
Creator: Stockard, Krista Lynn
System: The UNT Digital Library
Freedom of the Press in Thailand (open access)

Freedom of the Press in Thailand

Freedom of the press in Thailand fluctuates greatly, depending upon the government in each period. Newspapers have been suppressed since the monarchy political system was changed to democracy in 1932. Several kinds of suppression were imposed in each period which showed that the country, in reality, was under a military dictatorship. This study is a summary of the government control of the press since 1932. The study was divided into five chapters, including the introduction, background of the press and politics in Thailand, style and characteristics of Thai newspapers, government control from 1932 to 1963, and the conclusions and recommendations for further study.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Sangchan, Dangtoi
System: The UNT Digital Library
Dallas Morning News Editorial Cartoonists: Influences of John Knott on Jack "Herc" Ficklen and William McClanahan (open access)

Dallas Morning News Editorial Cartoonists: Influences of John Knott on Jack "Herc" Ficklen and William McClanahan

This problem's investigation deals with gauging the artistic influence, if any, pioneer editorial cartoonist John Knott had on his successors, Ficklen and McClanahan. Information was gathered through interviews and the pages of the Dallas Morning News. Organization is as follows: introduction, biography and art of Knott, biography and art of Ficklen, biography and art of McClanahan, summary and conclusion. The study found minimal artistic influence by Knott on the cartoons of Ficklen and McClanahan. Compared to Knott, Ficklen and McClanahan had different art backgrounds, cartoon styles, personal and political beliefs. Knott's successors admired different artists, drew during a different editorial page emphasis and had more freedom in cartoon selection than Knott did. Neither Ficklen nor McClanahan listed Knott as an artistic influence.
Date: August 1978
Creator: Darden, Robert F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Democrat Years: A Growing Process (open access)

The Democrat Years: A Growing Process

Changes of ownership, a seeming lack of interest in history, several deaths, and a fire prompted this study into the history of The Weatherford Democrat. Data for the thesis came from back issues of The Democrat, Ayer Directory of Newspapers and Periodicals, letters from former publishers, and personal observations and experiences of the writer, who worked on the paper 14 years. All but about a dozen years of the back issues are available. The thesis is written in chronological order, dating from the beginning in 1895 to 1967, when the Donrey Media Group gained control, ending local ownership. The Democrat is the survivor of more than 20 newspaper ventures in the city and is still the principal county paper.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Vandagriff, Jon R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A History of DALLAS Magazine and Its Changing Roles in the Dallas Chamber (open access)

A History of DALLAS Magazine and Its Changing Roles in the Dallas Chamber

This study explains the development of DALLAS magazine from its beginnings and changes in sixty-three years in content and format, departments, staff, and editorial policy. The study shows how DALLAS developed, reflecting the history of the City of Dallas' economic and business growth, and the Chamber of Commerce viewpoints since 1922. Concluding, the study reveals that the magazine projected the Dallas Chamber's viewpoints, that the magazine reported only positive images of the City of Dallas and its economy, that the magazine chronicled the changes in journalistic writing and graphic arts technology, that the magazine's audience remained the business leaders of the community, and that staff members progressively became better qualified for their positions.
Date: August 1986
Creator: Mahony, Linda MacDonald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nigerian Military Government and Press Freedom, 1966-79 (open access)

Nigerian Military Government and Press Freedom, 1966-79

The problem of this thesis is to examine the military-press relationship in Nigeria from 1966 to 1979 and to determine whether activities of the military government contributed to violation of press freedom by prior restraint, postpublication censorship and penalization. Newspaper and magazine articles related to this study were analyzed. Interviews with some journalists and military personnel were also conducted. Materials collected show that the military violated some aspects of press freedom, but in most cases, however, journalists were free to criticize government activities. The judiciary prevented the military from arbitrarily using its power against the press. The findings show that although the military occasionally attempted suppressing the press, there are few instances that prove that journalists were denied press freedom.
Date: May 1984
Creator: Agboaye, Ehikioya
System: The UNT Digital Library
History of the Plano Star-Courier, 1873-1973 (open access)

History of the Plano Star-Courier, 1873-1973

This study traces the history of the Plano Star-Courier. Information was obtained from newspaper files, interviews, and directories. The thesis is divided into six chapters: Chapter I introduces the study; Chapter II chronicles the founding of Plano and the first newspaper publications; Chapter III concerns consolidation of the newspapers in Plano; Chapter IV traces the changes in ownership; Chapter V describes the newspaper under family ownership and corporation ownership; Chapter VI summarizes the history, influence, and future of the Star-Courier. This thesis combines the history of the Plano Star- Courier and the previously unwritten history of the town. For 100 years, the Star-Courier reflected the attitudes, values, and needs of people in the community.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Garrett, Judy Whatley
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History of the Arlington Citizen-Journal (open access)

The History of the Arlington Citizen-Journal

This study was conducted to detail the history of The Arlington Citizen-Journal newspaper and its editors and the effect of an active newspaper on the orderly growth of a town. The Arlington Citizen-Journal evolved from a merger of two Arlington weekly newspapers, The Arlington Journal and The Arlington Citizen, which for more than fifty years reported Arlington happenings. The study includes historical information about the city, its people, and its institutions, and direct quotations of both editorial comment and news reports of Arlington events and people. It was found that throughout the years of Arlington's rapid growth, The Citizen-Journal was a vital force behind its citizens.
Date: August 1977
Creator: Forehand, Phyllis Hargrave
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History of Underground Communication in Russia Since the Seventeenth Century (open access)

The History of Underground Communication in Russia Since the Seventeenth Century

The purposes of this study were (1) to identify the reasons for and the processes of underground communication in Russia since the seventeenth century and (2) to utilize the information to interpret the clandestine media's significance. The study concluded: (1) underground media have evolved because Russian governments have oppressed free speech; (2) dissidents have shared similarities in the methods of illicit communications; (3) whereas the earlier clandestine press tended to be either literary or political, today's samizdat is a synthesis of many varieties of dissent; (4) underground media have reflected the unique characteristics of Russian journalism; and (5) the Chronicle of Current Events is unparalleled as a news journal in the history of Russian dissent.
Date: August 1975
Creator: Rainbolt, William R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Press and Alger Hiss (open access)

The Press and Alger Hiss

This study examines and analyzes the treatment accorded Alger Hiss by the American press from August 3, 1948, to January 25, 1950. Information sources included the forty-one newspaper articles submitted by Hiss's attorneys in their motion for a change of venue at the second trial, and those sections of books, newspapers, and magazine articles relative to the press's coverage of the case. Six chapters cover the changing press image of Hiss, newspaper articles submitted in evidence, and the relationships of Richard M. Nixon and Whittaker Chambers to the press. The study analyzes historically the differing attitudes toward Hiss and concludes that since the press reflected the nation's fears that its leaders had Communist ties, press coverage of the case lessened Hiss's chances for a fair trial.
Date: December 1975
Creator: Russell, Jessica
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Evaluation of the Contributions of the "Wichita Falls Times" in the Development and Progress of Wichita Falls, Texas, from 1907 to 1976 (open access)

An Evaluation of the Contributions of the "Wichita Falls Times" in the Development and Progress of Wichita Falls, Texas, from 1907 to 1976

The purpose of this study was (1) to trace the contributions of the newspaper to the civic improvement and economic growth of Wichita Falls; (2) to trace the contributions of the publishers; and (3) to trace the development of the Wichita Falls Times from 1907, when it began as a daily, to 1976, when it sold to Harte-Hanks Communications Inc.
Date: May 1979
Creator: Zajac, Patricia
System: The UNT Digital Library
No Title IX in Journalism: An Analysis of Subject Gender in Newspaper Sports Columns (open access)

No Title IX in Journalism: An Analysis of Subject Gender in Newspaper Sports Columns

The purpose of this study is to examine gender bias in sports media from the perspective of the sports columnist. The research analyzed 1,082 sports columns written by ten columnists (five male, five female) at newspapers across the United States. The columns were scrutinized to determine if the column subject was male or female. Results found that 84.4% of the sports columns were written about male athletes or men's sports compared to only 9% devoted to female athletes and women's sports. The research also found that female sports columnists write about female sports 12.7% of the time, while male sports columns only dedicate 6% of their columns to female athletes or women's sports. Newspapers with a larger circulation were more likely to have sports columns about female sports than were newspapers with smaller readerships. Six of the columnists were then interviewed to get their opinions on gender issues in sports journalism.
Date: December 2009
Creator: Bostic, Jordan
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Effects of an Informational Briefing on the Attitudes of Certain High School Seniors in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area Toward the Air Force ROTC Training Program (open access)

The Effects of an Informational Briefing on the Attitudes of Certain High School Seniors in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area Toward the Air Force ROTC Training Program

This study was a simple "before" and "after" attitude measurement experiment using an experimental group and a control group. The attitude measurements were made before and after the subjects in the experimental group were presented an informational briefing about the Air Force ROTC training program. Both the experimental group and the control group were subject to exposure to the Air Force mass communication advertising during the two-month study period. The results indicate that the increased knowledge gained by the experimental group through its exposure to the informational briefing caused a negative change of attitude within the group. However, the control group had no significant change of attitude during the study period even though more than 87 percent of those subjects were exposed to some form of Air Force advertising.
Date: May 1974
Creator: Andrews, Robert Glenn
System: The UNT Digital Library
Still on the Sidelines: the Female Experience in Sports Media (open access)

Still on the Sidelines: the Female Experience in Sports Media

This qualitative study aims to analyze the lived reality of women working in sports media today. Through systematic analysis of 12 in-depth interviews, the findings of this study suggest that the adoption of technological advancements in news media and all associated outlets have created a leveling effect for women due to the demand for highly skilled individuals who can handle the digital demand of modern news production. This study suggests that longtime gender disparities in sports media are experiencing a bit of a reprieve due to the massive digital audience and the need for professionals who can deliver information quickly and efficiently and with accuracy. However, the persistent symbolic annihilation of women as well as hegemonic hiring practices that emphasize aesthetic appeal have created a difficult path for women to move off the sidelines and into roles with more creative and analytical breadth, even with a rapidly increasing demand for jobs in the media industry.
Date: December 2014
Creator: Blankenship, Sara K.
System: The UNT Digital Library