In the world we live in, vast impersonal forces are making for the centralization of power and a regimented society" (Huxley, Education for Freedom, para. 2). The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which originally formed as a branch of Al-Qaeda in 2006, has been responsible for the killing, enslaving, and raping of thousands of Iranian and Syrian civilians. The main countries involved in ISIS' threats are the United States, the United Kingdom, Iran, and Syria, although the United Nations has showed drastic support in relief efforts. Throughout the whole ordeal, media has been used as a powerful impersonal force by ISIS to recruit members and by the United States to gain public support for intervention. .
Since ISIS has affected the international community, vast amounts of newspapers have been published. In order to find the truth and ensure quality, sources were evaluated on a basis of four standards: "recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort;" "be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable," "tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly," and "avoid stereotyping by race, religion, ethnicity, geography, and physical appearance" (SPJ Code of Ethics, 2014, pg. 1). Sources evaluated were Barack Obama's speech, El Colombiano, and The Saratogian. Unfortunately, many sources like these go unquestioned by the general public, which leads to a misinformed world. This has been the case throughout human history, where the masses have always had a desire to follow a leader, or worship a God, allowing individuals to use this susceptibility to their advantage creating dictators such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin. Emergence of mass media has allowed leaders to conveniently misguide the public and generate national support for issues by creating non-rational propaganda that appeals to society's emotions.
