UK Citizenship Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The Crimean War is regarded as the first conflict to be extensively covered by the media, particularly due to the advancements in communication technology and the role of war correspondents. This war, which lasted from 1853 to 1856, was notable for the use of the telegraph, which allowed for faster transmission of news reports back to Britain. Journalists like William Howard Russell of The Times provided detailed accounts of battles and the conditions faced by soldiers, breaking new ground in war reporting.

The media coverage during the Crimean War played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about the realities of warfare, including issues related to military strategy and the treatment of soldiers. This extensive reporting also led to public outcry regarding the conditions in which soldiers were fighting, ultimately influencing reforms in military healthcare and logistics.

In contrast, while World War I and World War II were large-scale conflicts with significant media coverage, the level of comprehensive reporting and the immediacy provided by the media during the Crimean War set a precedent that influenced future conflicts. The Vietnam War, while also heavily reported, came later and marked a different era of media coverage, particularly through television.