Was Vietnam the First Televised War?

The Vietnam War is often referred to as the first televised war, but this statement requires further examination. While it’s true that the conflict saw unprecedented levels of media coverage, with footage regularly broadcast into American homes, claiming it was the first televised war overlooks earlier conflicts that also saw some degree of television coverage.

State-of-the-art equipment for the 1960s included hefty Auricon sound cameras equipped with 400-foot magazines capable of holding roughly 12 minutes of film and a thin magnetic strip for audio recording. Field crews carried spare film rolls, freshly charged batteries, and a black bag for swapping out used magazines with fresh film. Reloading film amidst combat presented significant challenges and dangers. The entire camera setup, including a shoulder brace, could weigh up to 36 pounds, a considerable burden in jungle terrain or during firefights on mountain ridges. Each cameraman also had a compact, durable Bell & Howell 16mm wind-up camera for recording three minutes of silent footage. Sound technicians often carried heavy recording decks, frequently with reel-to-reel tape, and portable battery-powered lights.

Vietnamese staff members often practiced with the cumbersome Auricon cameras, aspiring to become cameramen—a role that offered higher pay, greater prestige, increased danger, and a wealth of stories to share over countless cups of Vietnamese coffee. Some successfully transitioned to this coveted position, while others did not.

Communication presented significant challenges. The American military phone system in Saigon was unreliable, and the local Saigon phone system was equally poor. Information gathering often relied on direct contact with military or diplomatic sources at their headquarters, often conducted over meals, drinks, or coffee and pastries at establishments like the popular Givral cafe. This direct interaction with sources highlights the limitations of technology at the time and the importance of personal connections in newsgathering during the Vietnam War era. The challenges of reporting from Vietnam, from the weight of the equipment to the difficulties in communication, underscore the dedication and resourcefulness of journalists covering the conflict.