Mass Media And Terrorism

28 Pages 6980 Words

terrorism.1
Margaret Thatcher's metaphor that publicity is the oxygen of terrorism underlines the point that public perception is a major terrorist target and the media are central in shaping and moving it. For terrorism, the role of the media is critical.
This report examines competing perspectives on the desired role for the media when covering terrorist incidents: what the terrorist wants, what the government wants, and what the media wants when covering a terrorist event. These are classic perspectives drawn from the experiences of this century. It then addresses three recent trends that impact on the relationship between terrorism and the media and concludes with options for congressional consideration.
COMPETING PERSPECTIVES ON THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA WHEN COVERING TERRORIST EVENTS
Terrorists, governments, and the media see the function, roles and responsibilities of the media, when covering terrorist events, from differing and often opposing perspectives. Such perceptions drive respective behaviors during terrorist incidents--often...