Question

The Tet Offensive was considered a turning point in media coverage of the Vietnam War. What happened as a result?

Media attention shifted toward student protests and away from the interviews with the troops and casualty reports that were previously shown.
Media coverage shifted away from the personal and toward facts and figures read on the air.
Anchormen like Walter Cronkite expressed their support for the troops.
Media coverage of the war became less upbeat and more oriented toward the violence of the war.

Answer 1

Answer: Media attention shifted toward student protests and away from the interviews with the troops and casualty reports that were previously shown.

Psychologically and politically, the Tet Offensive was considered a disaster. The early reporting of the communist victory was uncorrected in the media which led to the psychological victory for the communists. The heavy casualties and overly optimistic reports of progress in the war by media – accelerated the people’s disenchantment with President Lyndon B. Johnson and his conduct of the war.