Sydni Resnick

Sydni Resnick '21

Project Title: The CNN Effect and State Violence Against Muslim Ethnic Minorities.

Summary: New technology and mass social media have become dominant toos for the propaganda machine which cycles baseless fringe opinions through unfettered iteration,s providing a false legitimacy to an alternative set of  facts that ultimately drive official policies. Specifically, the media is important as it molds public perception and brings global attention to international crises. International crises, such as incidents of ethnic cleansing and genocides, are widespread throughout the globe. Throughout history, genocides have been possible by the production of false narratives against specific religious or ethnic minorities. These narratives were promoted and reiterated by national leaders within a nation through the dissemination of information to control public opinion on these circumstances. The positive and negative changes on account of the relationship between the media, public perception, and leaders impact the social, cultural, economic, and political environment for the international communities' aiding and abetting these human rights violations. Thus, it is evident how the narrative dispersed by the media and leaders impacts the lives and culture of ethnic minorities. This thesis demonstrates the results of the CNN effect as it generates and publicizes human rights violations, with a specific emphasis on the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Muslim populations. The relationship between the media, public perception, and governmental actions is increasingly important due to technological advances that influence society, culturally, economically, and politically.