Assessment 3: Annotated Bibliography

After over ten years on the run, Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was killed last year in Pakistan by American forces. The following annotated bibliography will gather evidence from academic journals, television and radio programs as well as, online references to form a greater understanding of the professional communication strategies utilized in presenting news of the death around the world.

Halloran, R. (2007). Strategic Communication. Parameters, 37(3), 4-14. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.uq.edu.au/docview/198048452

 

Richard Halloran describes how ‘Strategic Communication’ is a platform which governments need to utilize when deciding the most appropriate way of communicating with the public and other countries about situations. The article focuses specifically on the USA’s communication use in attempting to locate missing terrorist Osama Bin Laden. Halloran expresses that, with such advanced communication technologies available, the USA should have never been “out-communicated” by “one man in a cave.” Providing advice for government officials about the importance of professional communication when dealing with the press, Halloran also stresses that it is essential to consider how different cultural groups and individuals may misunderstand a potential message. The scholarly journal from which the article is sourced is called ‘Parameters’. This journal is published by the ‘U.S. Army War College’ and is therefore considered a reputable source as the publication has expertise in the area of defence and would be aware of professional communication strategies. Published in 2007, before Bin Laden’s death, the article focuses primarily on the theory behind the government tracking down the Al Qaeda leader. This focus contrasts to Chan’s recount of the historical event, who expresses how the government communicated with the public after the death of Bin Laden. However, both articles corroborate the importance of communication and how this concept effects how audiences react to situations. 

Chan, V H-C. (2011). 2011 Year in Review. Retrieved from http://yearinreview.yahoo.com/2011/us_top_news#4death-of-osama-bin-laden

 

In the ‘2011 Year in Review’ section of the Yahoo news website, the ‘Death of Osama Bin Laden’ is number 4 in the Top News Stories of the year. The article gives a brief and detailed description of how the USA government communicated with the public regarding the news as well as, the public’s response to the news. The website is necessary in understanding how professional communication was utilized in the instance of Bin Laden’s death, as the website demonstrates the actions taken by the government and includes video of Barack Obama’s official address at the bottom of the site. Vera H-C Chan compiled the review of the top ten news stories and could be considered a reputable author to reference. She writes regularly for the Yahoo! news site as well as engaging in her own blogging. Similar to the ’60 minutes’ report, Chan reports on how Barack Obama chose to communicate the news to the world and provides a recount of the event. However, the ’60 minutes’ report speaks exclusively with the President about the details of the operation and the reaction following the death in more detail than Chan mentions. 

Devine, F. Radutzky, M. (Producers). (2011, May 8). 60 Minutes- Killing Bin Laden: The President’s Story, Part 1. [Television broadcast]. Washington: CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7365396n

The USA ’60 Minutes’ program interviewed President Barack Obama about the death of Osama Bin Laden and the planning involved in the operation. The interview provides audiences an insight into how the operation was carried out and what Bin Laden’s death means for the future of terrorism. Obama utilizes professional communication to provide justification and instil confidence in audiences for the future of the USA. ’60 Minutes’ is a reputable documentary program which is popular in providing an accurate perspective into many news stories. Therefore, due to the programs reputability, it is an ideal reference to further highlight how professional communication is an essential platform and shows how the style was utilized in respect to the death of Osama Bin Laden. This report compliments the BBC Radio segment chaired by Michael Buerk as both discuss, not only the background surrounding the death of Bin Laden, but they broaden the concept to focus on the morality and varied opinions on the government’s handling of the situation. In contrast to the ’60 minutes’ report, the BBC Radio segment does not amount the same level of credibility without Obama’s opinion, but does provide a debate with opposing views which are integral in understanding every facet of the issue. 

Buerk, M. (Chair). (2011, May 7). Moral Maze [Radio program]. BBC Radio. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010t7s5

 

Michael Buerk chairs this engaging debate from BBC Radio and is joined by a panel of Claire Fox, Melanie Phillips, Michael Portillo and Matthew Taylor. The discussion centres on both the death of Osama Bin Laden and the moral dilemma surrounding how the US government handled the situation. The panel question three individuals who each have their own stance on Bin Laden and debate views surrounding the government’s handling of the incident. Each guest holds a strong view either in support of Bin Laden or in opposition to him. For example, one man lost his son in a road bomb which was orchestrated by Bin Laden and Al Qaeda; therefore he was opposed to Bin Laden’s regime and supported the way in which the government dealt with the death. On the other hand, the author of “Secret History of Al Qaeda”, Abdel Bari Atwan backed Bin Laden’s ideals and disapproved of the way in which his death was handled. BBC Radio is considered a universally reputable source which engages in intelligent and insightful discussion which would be considered relevant and reliable in communicating to audiences, the diverse views surrounding the story. The radio segment is similar to Halloran’s article in that both explore two sides to the debate into Osama Bin Laden’s reign. For example, Halloran argues that had the USA utilized strategic communication effectively, Bin Laden would have been found much sooner. In this way, the guest of the BBC Radio segment, Abdel Bari Atwan, also poses the negative side to how the USA has dealt with the entire Bin Laden situation. While many of the panelists debate with Atwan, it is important for audiences to be exposed to a range of perspectives.