Managing the Media in the India-Burma War, 1941-1945

The book explores how the media was used by the armed forces during the India-Burma campaigns of WWII to project a positive image of the war to domestic and international audiences. It discusses how soldiers were able to access newspapers and radio broadcasts, and how the military recognized the media as a valuable arm of warfare. It also highlights the role of the media in creating the 'Forgotten Army syndrome' and discusses India's role in the Second World War in relation to social, economic, and political developments.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This captivating book delves into the intricate ways in which the media was harnessed by the armed forces during the India-Burma campaigns of World War II. It sheds light on the remarkable strategies employed to project a positive image of a war that often seemed overlooked or misunderstood. By examining how soldiers, for the first time, gained access to newspapers and radio broadcasts that recounted the stories of the campaigns they were actively engaged in, Managing the Media in the India-Burma War unveils the profound impact that the media had on sustaining troop morale. Moreover, the book highlights the military's recognition of the media's potential as a valuable tool in warfare.

Through detailed analysis, Philip Woods sheds light on how troops reacted to reports of their operations, ultimately contributing to the emergence of the "Forgotten Army syndrome" during the latter stages of the Burma campaign. Focusing primarily on the British media, but also drawing examples from the United States and India, including Indian war correspondents, the book explores India's role in the Second World War in the context of social, economic, and political developments of the time. By examining India and Burma at a pivotal juncture in their respective journeys toward independence, this book offers a fresh perspective on a well-known military conflict. It unravels the various constraints and influences exerted on the media during wartime, while also establishing a strong connection between the campaign and India's crucial contributions to WWII.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350271647