Terrorism and Media

Media

• communication channels
• proliferation of mass media
  • competition among media groups to captivate the masses
• important tool to:
  • propagate ideology
  • instil terror in audience
  • demonstrate their commitment

Social Media

• unlimited level of exposure to spread message by the terrorists
  • from mainstream media to social media

The real problem

HOW media groups cover the terrorists?

1.   Media projects terrorism as selection of specific words

• can portray the severe event of the group as
  • favourably
  • unfavourably
• positive connotations:
  • liberators
  • peacekeepers
  • freedom fighters
• negative connotations:
  • invaders
  • occupiers
  • terrorists

2.   Terrorists support base is ⬆️

• media as unwilling ally
• high amt. of violence ➡️ media attention
  • to injure more for publicity
• media exposure causing
  • inc. in freq of attacks
  • severity of the attacks
  • careful selection of places to catch attention
• manipulation of media by the terrorists

3.   According to the Media Groups

• terrorism not to affect FoS&E
  • outcome of liberal democracy
• Right of the public to be informed on:
  • terrorist attack (if media has prior info ➡️ inform the states & not to make it a headline after the attack has occured)
  • steps taken by State & Intl. org.
• Fight against Terrorism
  • to not malign the 4^th pillar of Democ.