...News Media and Terrorism: Changing Relationship, Changing Definitions Zohar Kampf Department of Communication Hebrew University In this article I discuss two aspects that are important for understanding the relationship between Western news media and terrorism: the changing representation of terrorists and terrorist attacks in the media, and with it, the changing definition of terrorism. By calling attention to evolving news media practices in times of terrorism, I argue that advanced communication technologies and the emergence of global media ecology since the 1990s has made terrorism more visible in both national and international media landscapes. One consequence is that the more the news media expose terrorism to global audiences via the "front-door", the more controversial the use of the terms terrorism and terrorist become in social, political, and scholarly discourse. The paper addresses the new journalistic practices and their consequences as documented in previous studies on media reporting of terrorism in several national contexts, mostly the UK, the US and Israel. Terrorism, media, and the nation (or, reading about terrorists in the next day's newspaper) Classic definitions of terrorism evolved in a world in which a modernist view reigned supreme. Despite constant debates about how to define the term (Schmid 1983; Schlesinger 1981; Gibbs 1989; Nacos 2007), one conventional definition, at least under U.S. law, characterizing a nationalistic perception...
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...Political Science 004 27 April 2014 Terrorism Affects Us All From the late 13th and the beginnings of the 14th century to the 1700s, the terror and barbarism were actually already used in warfare and conflicts. However, the key ingredients for terrorism were not quite solid yet. Until the rise of the modern nation state subsequently the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the type of central authority and a united society that terrorism tries to influence scarcely existed. Communications were controlled, and the facts that might cause terrorism, such as religion, insurrection, political disagreements, typically led to an open warfare during earlier times of civilization. By the time kingdoms turned into nations, they had sufficient reasons to enforce their authority and repress activities such as terrorism. According to the webpage Terrorism Research, “The French Revolution provided the first uses of the words "Terrorist" and "Terrorism". The use of the word "terrorism" began in 1795 in reference to the Reign of Terror initiated by the Revolutionary government.” In other words, the agents of the Committee of Public Safety and the National Convention that administered and enforced the policies of "The Terror" were called 'Terrorists". The words terrorist and terrorism can cause an immediate effect in people’s minds. People often just relate terrorism to power and politics, but what is the real meaning of Terrorism? Every time I hear the word terrorism, I unconsciously think of Religion...
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... Introduction 3 Terrorism in Commercial Organizations 3 Terrorism in Airlines 4 Current Threats to Aviation 5 Insider Threats 5 Automation Adds Efficiency 6 Improving Total Operations 6 Increased Threats from Advanced Explosives 6 Threat against Airline Services and Airports 7 Necessary Steps to Improve Aviation Security 7 References 9 Introduction Terrorism is the systematic use of terror. It does not have a legal binding or definition in criminal law. Commonly, it is referred to creation of fear through violence (Townshend, 2002). Terrorism is usually defined and assumed as a group phenomenon (Hofmann, 2012). Terrorism has spread across the globe with its many forms and indicators. The emotional and diplomatic use of the word terrorism has resulted in a difficulty to provide an appropriate definition of terroorism (Raman, 2008). Researches have figured out more than hundred definitions of the word. The notion of terrorism is arguable due to two main reasons. Firstly, it is often used by government and other ruling bodies to delegitimize political or other rivals, secondly, to possibly legitimize the use of equipped force against enemies. A steadfast and unique characteristic of terrorism is the undifferentiating use of strength counter to noncombatants for the aim of attainment of publicity for a group, root, or individual. The representation of terrorism can influence human fear to help attain these goals. The problem of terrorism needs to be handled...
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...OTPR293 TERRORISM IN A GLOBALISED WORLD ESSAY 1. 2. How is the relationship between terrorism and the news media best understood? Terrorism and the Media co exist in a symbiotic relationship, meaning they both need each other. The media need terrorism to attract viewers and terrorists need media coverage for exposure. Media’s primary purpose is communication. Terrorism is a form of communication that is amplified by the media. Terrorism is outrageous violence that seizes the public’s imagination and awakens its audience to political issues and propaganda that are of importance to the perpetrators. The terrorists have a need to reach a target audience and seek publicity to display their actions and achieve exposure. Without such exposure of the acts, the goals of the terrorist have not been achieved (Lutz & Lutz, 2013 pg. 10). A terrorist act by itself achieves nothing without coverage from the media. In essence media is a terrorist’s best friend, for without the exposure given it is plausible to conceive that terrorism would cease to exist. The progression of technology such as mobile recording devices and hand held cameras has heightened the ability for terrorism to be displayed in a cinematic experience. These functions allow front seat access to world viewers of horrific terrorist acts, training camps, messages of hate or encouragement which are in turn beamed throughout the globe via specific terror home pages or through the various media outlets (Hoskins...
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...The History of Terrorism This comprehensive description for the history of terrorism analysis provides insight into the French and Russian revolutions expanding the terrorism knowledge to the Irish revolutionaries for political changes. The change of faces in terrorism activities shows as the left wing extremists slowly faded away with the collapse of the communism. The modern right wing extremist have an old history of using religious aspects as an excuse for killing innocent people to gain the political advantages. The future of terrorism takes a newer turn with the introduction for the weapons of mass destruction causing deaths of millions of innocents for the terrorist's statement, and mission. The development of the Department of Homeland Security and United States Patriot Act helped the Intelligence community, government agencies, and law enforcement departments provide viable information toward modern terrorism tactics. The fight for everlasting freedom becomes a combination of information resources working together toward the same objectives. Terrorism Phenomenon According to Jacqueline Carberry (1999), "the global terrorism phenomenon used for political aspirations, sometimes as freedom from oppression, and changing of governmental politics" (685). This phenomenon affects everyone in any city in the United States, and international world. The term terrorism has no boundaries or respect for the national and international world. Every government across the global community...
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...Terrorism is a complex problem with many diverse causes. Consequently no single effective method to counter it exists. To combat terrorism, one must first understand the underlying motivations for each particular group's actions. Terrorism, an issue that plagues our world every minute of every day. You never know when or where a terrorist organization is going to strike. All groups’ reasons are different, some for political or religious reasons, others for hatred. The roots of terrorism are believed to have started in 1007 A.D. Hassan ben Sabbah born in Qom, Iran was an Ishmaili Muslim and opposed all other Muslim groups except for the Ishmaili’s. He is believed to be the father of terrorism. Ben Sabbah’s actions had started a whole new trend; people began to follow his actions and started to form terrorist organizations. When you define terrorism most definitions say it is the act of violence and/or intimidation to achieve certain political or religious goals. Terrorism is a problem everywhere not just the Middle East, contrary to what people think. People think there is such a thing as a “typical terrorist”, but there really is not. I guess it could be said that terrorists are stereotyped in many ways. Many people believe that terrorists in the Middle East are either Muslims or Islamic, which is not true either. Just because a person is of one region of the world it does not mean they are a terrorist. As far as I am concerned it could be a next door neighbor. But to understand...
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...In what ways, if any, has globalization transformed the phenomenon of terrorism? Introduction The idea of terrorism has not always been as it is today. The word “terror” originated after the French Revolution and the word “terrorism” was subsequently recorded by the Académie Française in 1798 (Roberts 2002). The regime of “la Terreur” was one of force and bloody repression against opponents to the newly born French Republic, but since the 19th century, terrorism has come to designate a method of opposition used by small groups (Tilly 2004, 8-9) “against the legitimacy of the prevailing sovereign power” (Scruton 2002, 126). As Barkawi (2006, 129) aptly puts across “‘terror’ is often used as a weapon by those who lack sufficient weapons to fight a military war, who believe their voices are not being heard and their desires bear no fruit”. Contrary to the French “terror”, “terrorism” is then no longer a practice of the State; it is that of radical groups opposing the State, and it is mainly the State that gives them this name (Townshend 2002, 3); the names these groups give themselves are in relation to a cause they see as legitimate. Such causes have arisen in numerous places, prompting some to take extreme but in their minds justified action, and Europe has faced terrorist threats long before the 9/11 attacks, incarnated by the Irish Republican Army (IRA), the Basque Fatherland and Liberty group (ETA) in Spain or the Red Brigades in Italy, to name only a few (Barkawi...
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...There is no universal definition of terrorism but in what case does it really matters? Do we need a universal definition of terrorism? During the last two century, many definition of terrorism have been elaborated. As today there are several different kinds of terrorism and also different point of view on terrorism nobody can clearly understand what is terrorism. The description of terrorism varies between cultures. Moreover one of the current problems with the word terrorism is that it is easier to define this term by what it is not than define it by what it is. A Universal definition is needed, In order to clearly understand this notion. However, even scholars or governments are not agreeing on the fact that we need a universal definition of terrorism. According to Lutz, “what will be useful is to provide a working definition, as neutral as possible. What is also necessary is to read and evaluate with cares how others use the word. A clear and workable definition of terrorism should cover both groups that individuals agree with and group that they disagree with” . Sebastian Wojciechowski offers several...
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...Australia and Terrorism Terrorism is not a new term and can be defined as “the unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims” (Dictionary, 2014). The emergence of terrorism was significant in history, and in more recent times, has become a threat to Australian Borders. The effectiveness of the law in preventing and reducing levels of terrorism is highlighted through the use of case studies and evaluation. The Hilton bombings The relationship between Australia and Terrorism is specifically highlighted in the Sydney Hilton Bombings on the 13th February 1978. This was the first experience of Terrorism in Australia and created the need for better security and the implementation of effective protection...
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...Geography 206 Sec.15 4/2/2016 War on Terrorism Introduction Terrorism was dated back all the way to the first century, were a Jewish group called the Sicarii were willing to kill their enemies and their enemies associates in order to drive out the Roman Ruler from Judea. There was also the Hashhashin who was an Islamic sect who were located in Iran and Syria from the 11th to the 13th century. Though these groups were not consider terrorist in the modern sense, the use of violence to affect politics was a clear sign of terrorism. The word terrorism comes from the Reign of Terror which was started by Maxmilien Robespierre in 1793, following the French revolution. The definition of terrorism is an illegitimate use of force or violence against people and their property and is used to intimidate or persuade a government and its civilian population to advance their interest of political or social objectives. It is very effective tactic for the weaker side of a battle and can change flow or pace of a war. The act of terrorism has been used throughout history to prove dominance to a certain group of people. The war on terrorism affects people and the countries these people live in all around the world in many ways, for example, the war on terrorism effect the economy globally. According to the 2015 Global Terrorism Index, the cost of terrorism to the world was 52.9 billion in 2014, and it was the highest amount since 2001. Not only that the war on terrorism affect the economy, has it also...
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...Cyber terrorism Assignment #10 6/15/2012 TS 5999 Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………2 Introduction…………………………………………………..3 What is Cyberterrorism?....................................................3-4 History…………………………………………………………4 Examples of cyberterrorism…………………………………4-6 Level of cyber terror capability ……………………………..6 Figure 1……………………………………………………….7 Prevention of cyberterrorism……………………………….7-8 Conclusion ……………………………………………………..8 Reference ……………………………………………………...9-10 Abstract Cyberterrorism has increasing become one of the most significant threats nationally and internationally. Being that the internet makes it easier for terrorist to communicate, organize terrorist cells, share information, plan attacks; the internet also is used to cyber terrorist acts. Since the September 11th terror attacks on the US, American have remained on high alert for possibly another terror attack. The government has many action plans ready in the event that they get wind of another attack or an attack happens. Law enforcement has received training in terrorism prevention and detection techniques, granted terrorist are always looking for ways to improve their methods of attack. This paper will look at all the different aspects of cyberterrorism and review the different cases of cyberterrorism nationally and internationally. Introduction The use of computers and the internet have been an important part of our daily lives. Computers and the internet makes...
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...What is Terrorism? By: James Morris Terrorism Terrorism is political phenomenon by which offenders threaten or use violence on civilians with the intent of exploiting fear. It can be defined as substitute classification of political violence. A quote by Sloan (2006) states “Terrorism is intentional violent acts carried out by nonstate actors against noncombatants with the purpose of effecting a political response.” In our society, the term terrorism is a method or strategy to effect political change in an area. Terrorism can be seen as crime, exploitation of fear, and a form of warfare (Lutz, 2005). Since the 1700’s, history has always kept record of the different types of violence our world has faced. And with terrorism it comes with consequences. (Sloan, 2006). A quote by Moghaddam & Marsella (2004) says “It is usually perpetrated by groups utilizing warfare, due to the fact that they are unable to gain advantage while using conventional methods.” Terrorism as Crime The relationship between the terrorism and crime are both equally considered as wrong doing. Traditionally, within the legal system of the United States, domestic terrorism is treated as a criminal act (Bender & Leone, 1986). It is directed toward civilians for the purpose of inducing fear, dread, and terror. Lutz states (2005) “The focus would be on collection of evidence that would be used in court to prosecute those accused of threats or acts of terrorism.” In a sense, all terrorism can be...
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...Are the media the “terrorists’ best friends”? (Laqueur, 1976) This essay will propose that the media coverage of acts of terror occurs for the main purpose of reporting on the news, it heightens the public’s awareness of such incidents and aids in counterterrorism, thus having a detrimental effect on the terrorists and their cause. Laqueur’s statement that the media are the terrorists’ best friends implies that their coverage of terrorism aids the terrorists. We will examine and disprove the hypotheses that coverage of terrorism in the media, and the publicity and attention terrorists gain through media reporting of their acts of terror are beneficial to their cause. For the purposes of this essay media will be used as a “…generic term meaning all the methods or channels of information and entertainment” (P.Wilkinson, 1997:51) and as found within majority of the theories and concepts discussed, the term terrorism, and therefore terrorist, is used to describe violence carried out in the name of a political, ideological or racial cause by a person who wishes to influence the government and, or, intimidate the public. (www.mi5.gov.uk) Terrorism is a psychological weapon (P.Wilkinson, 1997:54), which is dependent upon communication of its threat. The easiest way terrorists can disseminate their messages of threat is through the manipulation of the media. When using the media, the terrorists’ have four core objectives; communicate propaganda; mobilise support from the public...
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...Case Study Paper Assignment IR 6629 The Theory and Practice of International Relations NOVEMBER 17 TERRORIST GROUP INTRODUCTION: Terrorism has been one of the hottest topics in the current world affairs. The whole world is threatened by terrorist attacks of different types by different terrorist organizations. The terrorist groups have been using various strategies to pressurize the world to fulfill their demands. Their strategies include bomb blasts, murders, kidnapping and damage to property. Currently Al Qaeda is the most talked about Islamic terrorist organization that has changed the face of the world since September 11, 2001. The group has forced many countries to change their foreign policy. However to think that terrorists are always Muslims is wrong. There are a number of non Muslim terrorist organizations that are using destructive tactics to accomplish their goals. Among the non Islamic groups the most deadly terrorist organization is considered to be November 17 which has its bases in Greece. In this paper I aim to discuss the origins of the November 17 terrorist group. My reason for selecting this group is that it is interesting to know that the group has been declared the most deadly terrorist group in Europe despite the fact that it has a very small strength. I intend to discuss the aims, objectives, strength and strategies of this group. I will try to compare it with other non terrorist organizations in Greece seeking similar goals. I will discuss...
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...tactic of terrorism is employed and in the actors employing it. The Arab terrorism that began in the 1960s resulted from the Cold War and the Soviet decision to fund, train and otherwise encourage groups in the Middle East. The Soviet Union and its Middle Eastern proxies also sponsored Marxist terrorist groups in Europe and Latin America. They even backed the Japanese Red Army terrorist group. Places like South Yemen and Libya became havens where Marxist militants of many different nationalities gathered to learn terrorist tradecraft, often instructed by personnel from the Soviet KGB or the East German Stasi and from other militants. The Cold War also spawned al Qaeda and the broader global jihadist movement as militants flocking to fight the Soviet troops who had invaded Afghanistan were trained in camps in northern Pakistan by instructors from the CIA's Office of Technical Services and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence directorate. Emboldened by the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, and claiming credit for the subsequent Soviet collapse, these militants decided to expand their efforts to other parts of the world. The connection between state-sponsored terrorism and the Cold War ran so deep that when the Cold War ended with the Soviet Union's collapse, many declared that terrorism had ended as well. I witnessed this phenomenon while serving in the Counterterrorism Investigations Division of the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) in the early 1990s. While I was in New York...
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