Framing Two Enemies in Mass Media: A Content Analysis of U.S. Government Influence in American Film during World War II

Abstract

This content analysis of World War II movies and Office of War Information documents was conducted to ascertain the influence of the U.S. government on the depictions of the Japanese and German enemy by American filmmakers during the war. Film content was selected for this study as television was in its infancy during the war, and the U.S. government routinely used film in conjunction with radio and other mass media.

Findings show that selected government-defined themes depicting the enemy during the war are systematically found in these popular movies. This study reveals the results of the extensive coordination of public messages about the two enemies between mass media and the U.S. government. The study is useful in understanding the continuing influence of government on filmmaking and other mass media in an attempt to influence and shape public opinion during times of war.