In the article, the writer expresses his dedicated glee of the revolutionary battles in many instances. Algeria was in a bad state and had in fact called off an election fearing that the Muslims would take over the highly sought office of the president, consequently running the Government affairs. The state had been severely maimed by a decade of war, which resulted in minimal state growth, which led to the country’s productive youths crossing borders to other states in pursuit of peace and employment. All this has had the Algerian Liberation Movement to blame, because of the civil wars that have hit the state.
The writer also looks into many different reactions towards the movement’s situation, for example, bad media publications, and makes a clear view towards looking at a civil war as a component of molding any state, as it’s a wake-up call and an ingredient to political changes and lessons.
Radio, as seen in this case and also in Adolf Hitler’s success, played a big role in communication, and Fanon, by affiliation with other likeminded liberationists, played a major role in de-colonizing Algeria from France through radio; Voice of Paris which greatly contributed towards the state’s independence. Notably, unlike other revolutionists, Fanon didn’t use bloodshed to achieve his mission.
McLuhan also observes that the radio keeps us informed and gives us a sense of oneness and coherency. This also acts as an important ingredient to the picture that Fanon creates, except that he doesn’t venture much towards this direction. One notable thing about radio, according to the writer, is that it’s basically about people’s stories and opinions and beliefs, and holds no coherent abilities beyond that, and Fanon indeed bore witness to the fact that radio gives masses freedom of expression. In related examples, The Anti-war Pacifica Network played the same important part in opposing the Pacific War, despite people’s differences in creed, geographical distribution, etc. Radio also facilitated in arousing conscience and McLuhan notes that outcomes are important in that they play a role in the white elites’ cohesion. Fanon is therefore correct by concluding that the effect radio has is unique and politically massive.
In the same light but this time round focusing on print media, pictures and photos provide us with undisputed evidence about a lot of scenarios. AP posted photographs of dogs menacing at Iraqi prisoners, but the guards were quick to say that they were only scaring them. However, Seymore Hersch revealed to the Congress more photos of the dogs actually tearing the prisoners apart, and this time round the official statement was that the German Shepherds only brushed lightly the prisoners, which led to the Congress noting the lack of justice, and in fact the above scenario is not anything new in many states, especially when it comes to civil wars. Congress, in this light, is committed to their role of upholding and maintaining the acceptable measures of justice, thus holding such photos, which have potential in deceiving the public thus mobilizing them, was essential. This is because there is a possibility that the photos were individually produced.