CNN Sept 11, 2001 (12:00am EDT)
Basic information about the event has been displayed, but things are still very much in disarray. The video at this point is relying on an earlier footage of the Towers, possibly due to evacuations and restrictions set in place, so there is still some confusion as to what is going on at the present time. The station appears to have leapt to the worst conclusion, posting still incoming information (the second lost flight) beneath the distressing headline”America Under Attack.” Moving beyond visual information and observation though, the anchor has begun to question government response. The chaos of the situation is still evident, as he is unable to even get in contact with the White House correspondent for some time.
CNN Sept 17, 2001 (12:00pm EDT)
All information regarding 9/11 has been thoroughly covered, as the station is not even bothering to recap. The CNN hotline number supports this fact, as it creates a forum situation for the exchange of OPINIONS rather than information. Everyone is expected to know the full details of what happened already, although this hotline allows for further details to come to light if possible. Note that the new headline is “America’s New War,” indicating leaders have already recovered from the initial shock of the event and made their response. Comparing the two headlines shows general opinion of the event. Rather than seen as an attack by individuals or a small group, the enemy is seen on a larger, nationwide scale.
Iraq Sept 11, 2001 (2pm EDT)
One of the guest speakers is a professor in political science, already setting the tone of political tension. Little information as to the actual event itself is given in the introduction, and no images are shown. All speakers are subdued, again referring back to said tension. While they refer vaguely to the attack and deplore the event, they do not go into specific details, and skirt around summarizing anything.
Iraq Sept 17, 2011 (2pm EDT)
The tone here is much more defensive, while still acknowledging 9/11. The speaker is more assertive and plain loud in his speech. While he doesn’t deny or seek to undermine the events that took place, he seems understandably focused on averting a national conflict, discussing alternate terms. It would seem that Iraq’s mind has already been decided, as there are no longer political advisers assisting the speaker.