Defining an equal state of propaganda and government control over information has always remained a challenge for democracies. It seems that in this era the United States leans towards a more propagandistic approach rather than staying the same. The media's portrayal of war plays a fundamental role in how a community reacts to the situation; this was shown during the Vietnam War when support deteriorated due to the gruesome images that were displayed. The relationship between media and terrorism is a vicious circle; “As the media covers terrorism, it incites even more terrorism, which produces more media coverage” (Biernatzki, 2002). To this day I believe there are political implications of allowing journalists to have the same degree of access to information in the war on terrorism. terrorism as occurred during the Vietnam War? Since our invasion of the Middle East in 2003, journalists have been granted an enormous amount of access to information, probably more than journalists during the Vietnam War. The difference between the two however is the production of the information collected. During the Vietnam War, “violent and disturbing images were broadcast daily into American homes” (“Freedom of Reporting and Security Issues,” n.d.); this does not occur to this extent today. Today we are strongly advised against showing gruesome images on television for numerous reasons, all related to censorship. Displaying gruesome images is reckless as the viewing audience cannot always be contained, as is the unawareness of how an individual will react; Would you like to see a relative beheaded on national television? Some believe that censoring such information is against their First Amendment. Journalists have access to alm...... middle of paper ......://canton.sln.suny.edu/AngelUploads/Content/201402-CAN-JUST-375-0W1/_assoc/47224E2EE0AB4D3BBBCD848A08DF3E64/ Terrorism_and_Mass_Media .pdfFreedom of reporting and security issues. (n.d.). Methods of terrorism through the centuries. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from https://canton.sln.suny.edu/AngelUploads/Content/201402-CAN-JUST-375-0W1/_assoc/C9BB8538FC3940F2AED148CF4BC6C0C0/Freedom_of_Reporting_and_Security_Issues.pdfSimon, J 1, September 9). How the "war on terror" unleashed a war on journalists. CNN. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/09/08/simon.press.freedom.911/Terrorism and the Media. (2008, July 23). Transnational terrorism, security and the rule of law. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from https://canton.sln.suny.edu/AngelUploads/Content/201402-CAN-JUST-375-0W1/_assoc/2DFCEDA2E5D74D41AF54078C9174402C/Terrorism_and_the_Mass_Media.pdf