International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

Historic key events are genuine events with historical importance. Four factors are important to consider in this regard. (1) Historic key events have a short and distinct duration . The event happens within a short time and it is clearly separated from later and earlier events. It is arguable whether wars and revolutions should be considered as historic key events; overall it seems best to regard them as chains of related historic key events ( Wilke 1989 ). (2) Historic key events have a significant impact on later times . The historical dimensions of the political, social, economic, or cultural effects are sometimes obvious when the event happens, but at other times the importance of the event becomes clearer with the passing of time, when the significance of its effects can be evaluated differently. It is easier to regard political or economic events as key events than social or cultural events. (3) Historic key events are not primarily created for media attention . Their importance is independent of any media coverage. Even when some aspects of an event may have been planned in advance to attract media attention, its main purpose is not media effect. (4) Historic key events are ambiguous and subjective in many ways. Billy Wilder's film One, Two, Three (1961) started with a quote that provides a perfect illustration of the ambiguities of historic key events and media key ... log in or subscribe to read full text