POWER IN COMMUNICATION…AMAZING!

  

     I ran in a little bit late for Sir Beaver’s class last Tuesday and while I was catching my breath from taking three steps at a time in the stairway going to the third floor, I was struck and got immediately interested with the initial discussion.

     I knew  from the start that it was a jump-off from last week’s discussion regarding Thompson’s various type of power.

     Sir Beaver was already discussing the third and the fourth type of power but of course, I gathered my notes and browsed to catch up with the first and second type of power so I could follow.

      Being in the mainstream media from the start of my working profession, I have already realized how vast the power of communication is and it is very interesting to think that we really need to communicate in order for us to perpetuate the various type of power, as per Thompson.

     Focusing on the Coercive type of power, we cannot help but give US army as perfect example because we always have the instant notion that American forces are one of the bests if not the supreme all over the world.

    Now, here is the question that I want to raise. Why most of us perceive the belief that Western armed forces are formidable and unbeatable?

   This impression is the product of long term stratcom plan to perpetuate their coercive power in the international circle.

    Communication experts use worldwide television and print to drumbeat America’s latest and high tech military gadgets, thus, intimidating other aggressive nation. Also, we should take note that in increasing differences among nations, US military force will always be in the middle of the conflict but communicators always make it to a point that in giving out photo releases, we can see that they are well equipped and are always ready whenever they are needed.

     This image using communication and media definitely perpetuate coercive power that the US forces want to project.

      Remember how US forces shot and eventually killed the elusive Osama Bin Laden after years of running after him?

      Communication experts carefully gave out releases and statements from the US military officials capitalizing on how the special squad systematically planned the whole thing, thus, recognizing US military power as one of the best.