Background on Mass Media and Terrorism - Research Paper Example

Media Sensationalism Introduction In the wake of modern terrorism, there has been increased use of mass media to create an impression that the war against terrorism has been won. On the other hand, the terror groups have been consistently utilizing mass media to create an impression that the war against terrorism was not close to being won. Whichever way, the media through Television, written and radio news have been at the center of reporting actions and inactions. It is essentially called sensationalism. Sensationalism refers to the use of media report that is bias or prejudice information to the public in order to increase viewership and readership1. It is a hallmark of playing with the public emotions in order to create a picture that is intended by government agents or terror groups. Some of the tactics normally employed include editorial biases, exaggeration, deliberate obtuse information that is intended to play with public emotion. Besides, it encompasses magnifying trivial information in order to appear loud and sensible2. Media sensationalism appears to have thrived best during the American September 11, 2001 terror attack and subsequent events. Notably, as the Bush administration strived to keep bold face after terror act, the reality of the eventually created public discontent on the role of security agents and the government in safeguarding its people. It was a devastating event that left 3031 people dead and many maimed. The paper explores how media sensationalism has since evolved as a terrorist tool and as a counter-terrorism weapon. Without communication, there would be no terrorism. Though it existed prior to mass media, terror groups have begun using mass media as a tool to discredit perceived success on the war on terror. Most notably, the Islamist extremist groups such as ISIS have used mass media as a war tool. Background on Mass media and Terrorism Dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y video clip by Johan Grimpez in 1997 reflects a medium and the terrorist conflict way back before the September 11, U.S terror attack. The video offers a historical chart of airplane hijacking and how progressive television coverage became more and more deadly. It centers on an imagined conversation between a terrorist and a novelist. As the video progresses, media coverage increases leading to inward society shock on the reality of plane hijack by the terrorist. The media coverage of incidence serves to create societal tension. Mouna Abdel-Majid, a member of PLO, tells the reporter that westerners have fought beyond their territory, and they were now avenging3. Notably, they engage in exchange and the video support Don Delillos assertion that "what the terrorist gains, novelist lose!” It is certain that mass media is a resource for terrorist. History of Use of Media by “Terrorists” The theme depicts terrorist hijack the plane and the story hijacked by media houses. Flurry of journalist, press conference by officials depicts how terrorism has in the past used media to create its existence. Ranging from Raffaele Minichiello, the transatlantic hijack in 1969, the 1972 Munich plane hijack by Palestinian group, PLO and the anonymous dying terrorist in St. Petersburg in 1993. The video reflects how media has been used by the branded terror groups like PLO and Al Qaeda to propagate terror fear in the public. The sight of exploding plane and flurry press conference that update on hijack helps to inscribe terrorism that has over years being struggling to gain popular media coverage. In addition, the recent execution of American journalist, the Israel jihad attack have continued to create media attention and propagation of terror fears. There have been political activist groups since mid-20th century whose attention by media appeared to be propagating their radicalism. Notably, the Weather Underground of United States of 1960s, Red Army Faction of Germany, and Irish Republican Army have conducted "terrorism" through the radicalization. Media represented them as an activist and radical group while government portrayed them as terror groups. Media representation is the neutral position of professional journalism4. On the other hand, government authorities would use media to deploy "terrorist" to a radical groups and political movements in order to obtain moral authority to ban them5. In this case, media have been a political tool to discourage the radicalism through creation of fear by terming them "terror" groups because they often employ assassinations and violent protest. The media should remain non-political in defining political movements and reporting on terrorism. Misconception of mass media can be devastating to the public. Other Terror Groups in Middle East and Media Coverage Other terrorist groups mostly in the Middle East, including Taliban, the Hezb-e-Islamic Gulbuddin have benefited from media coverage. The bombing of civilians in 2006 in Afghanistan that left at least 669 civilians dead received substantial global media coverage. Taliban execution of American journalists in 2007 and taking responsibility through media has been noticeable6. The Islamic Jihad Organization (IJO) has participated in widely media covered terror attacks in Hezbollah and Iran. Besides, the Kurdish Sunni group was identified all over media houses as responsible for bombing of two synagogues in November 2003 at Istanbul. The Caucasus Emirate group, the Hamas, the Hezbollah and the Islamic Party of Kurdish have been in the spot as groups whose Islamic faith and media have focused terror events. However, media has been I forefront in promoting religious tolerance and depicting terror groups and Islam as different entities. It will go down in history that September 11, 2001 was a monumental point in the pursuit against terrorism. The articles and Television reporting became the central part of terrorism and counterterrorism sensationalism. Notably, the Al-Qaeda appeared committed to manipulating the reporting style that allowed a public horror and fear. Ideally, terror groups derive success from the feel it inflicts on people. Although terrorism existed prior mass media, it has been capitalized to create fear and acrimony from people. Certainly, the terror groups have been consistent in attacking the U.S based citizenship and use of sensationalism against media by the government to counterterrorist has been overwhelming. Television and news over several weeks after September 11 saw flooding of information and airwaves that brought media into center stage of sensationalism. According to media such as CNN, Fox News, New York Times, BBC, Wall Street Journals and NBC poll, the Islamic States (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda dominated the news. It was noted as the most important enemies of American people and the entire globe. Notably, CNN mentioned ISIS more than 3800 times in one week and terrorism over 5000 times within the same period7. President Bush speech of assurance to the American nation and the world dominated in the news. It was a sensational strategy the government used in order to calm down the public that was growing anxious. Early 2014, the ISIS and Al-Qaeda terror groups undertook the most insensitive act and murdered two U.S journalist in front of the camera. It is an act of sensationalism. It allows people grow fearful and create an impression that terrorist were still alive. It served to counter government position that it had succeeded in its attempt to stem out the terror groups in the Far East. According to Wall Street Journal survey in August, 47% of Americans believe that the country is more unsafe as compared to the period prior to September 11. It is a study that served to impress the terror groups. In addition, a similar survey indicated that 94% of the U.S citizens were aware of the murder of the two journalists. Thus, it also showed that the American is paying much attention to the activities in the Islamic States. Use of media sensationalism for Political Gain In order to counter the perceived success that the terror group appeared to have won, the Barrack Obama ordered for air strikes at the ISIS. On September 23rd, 2014 he came out to give a statement that the country had conducted significant raid in the Islamic states and had killed hundreds of terrorist8. Many sociologists believe that the media briefing that later made headlines in all TV and radio stations was one of the sensationalism strategies that the government employed to shift attention from the horrific scene. Certainly, it achieved a significant part of its intentions. As a critical tool, media sensationalism objective is also to create a retaliatory feeling that serve to massage the pride of the government. Certainly, the scene will go down in history as the most terrific media coverage that put the American security agents on the spot. From the incident, two things emerge; firstly, the Islamic States intelligently used the television to spread its message of hatred against Americans. This was overt as the journalist suffered helplessly under the full view of the camera. Secondly, the leaked video of gruesome scenes of attacks and beheadings helped created fear in public and portrayed that the war on terror had been theoretically won, but terrorism remained alive in the Far East countries. On the other side, media focused attention on the activities in White House and President Schedule. Further reports were released all media stations that Americans were now fully supporting military action against the ISIS. In order to allow the government audacity to conduct its air strikes, media houses including Fox Newsman and BBC reported that many American citizens according to some surveys wanted a military action against radical groups in Far East. Besides, there were increasing polls whose credibility cannot be established identified that over 70% of Americans would prefer military action to restore dignity of slain journalists9. Immediately after the sensational news filled the media houses, the President of U.S ordered air strikes that were much aggressive than before. It later dawned to many that the government was playing with the public gallery to seek approval of what would have become a controversial attack. Besides, ahead of September 20th Mosul, Tikrit and Sinjar attacks by the United States, there was Gallop poll that was circulated all over in the media. The poll pointed out that the citizens of U.S supported an armed attack on the ISIS stronghold. Sensationalism by government throughout the counterterrorism attack showed that there was persistence in seeking public support in any armed strikes. In addition, there was sensational media information that forceful attacks had been deliberated by the UN security protocol. In seeking acceptance and playing with public knowledge, the U.S navigated through the legal and international protocols into Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Notably, in ousting the leadership of Afghanistan and stamping its authority, the American government under President Bush sought all media sensational claims against the government. Evidently, many TV viewers have changed their minds to embrace less force in handling terrorism according to American National Elections Studies 2000-2002-2004 panel10. Historically, the pursuit of terrorism to Afghanistan was strategized through using media sensational reporting. President Bush embarked on a mission after filing reports to circulate in the media houses that the pursuit was a global undertaking of peace restoration efforts. In addition, much of the news that dominated the headlines include "Terrorism in the globe" it painted a picture that the whole world had been attacked. It was an act of sensationalism that approved the attacks in Afghanistan and subsequent killing of Al-Qaeda Osama Bin Laden. The killing of Osama made another sensational headline. Other media houses reported that Al-Qaeda had been trashed, and the group had allegedly disintegrated due to lack of its leadership. Besides, other reports indicated that the terror group had no head, and it was suffering from aggressive leadership wrangles that would split the group and perhaps make it more susceptible. It was the U.S government sensational claims that were intended to create a disconnect within the Al Qaeda members and the ISIS sympathizers and paint them as a weak group that was undergoing serious challenges. Certainly, this is the hallmark of sensationalism. Moreover, the goal was to disrupt the gruesome activities of the terror group and create a public impression that "it was over11." Ideally speaking, media sensationalism can be misleading and allows public erred judgment. In order to counter its spread, the AL Qaeda responded by carrying out attacks on innocent civilians in Afghanistan in order to express their discontent with the newly established government. Some of the leading examples of media sensationalism include the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal, Casey Anthony Trial, Elian Gonzalez affair and the ISIS and two journalist executions in front of the camera. The most important goal of sensationalism is to create public agitation on some issues. Unlike the U.S government, the Al Qaeda and ISIS use media sensationalism to create fear and affirm its continued presence despite the much-hyped reports that the war against terrorism was over12. Political and media observers note that the particular events of execution of journalist left many worried on whether the government has control of the region as it claims. Moreover, political leaders and media critics have been in the forefront to discredit the media coverage of the Islamic States gruesome acts. Some scholars argue that the Islamic State terror activities as captured in the media were terrifying many Americans. Besides, it appeared to have thwarted the political landscape by voting those perceived to be liberal and soft in handling terrorism. Political scientist suggests that the concern on the choice of leadership is warranted and reality to the true feelings of the gravity of terror actions. However, media sensationalism remained committed to stemming out the threat through already ongoing military incursion. The most powerful tool that Al-Qaeda and ISIS have explored is Television. It carries audio and visual communication that can be used sensationally to advance terror activity. Notably, after September 11, media have been hijacked by a wave of sensationalism that has greatly killed the neutrality of media. After the attack, the New York Times, Fox News, CNN and all mass media were filled all sorts of information on terror. The information captured Media Sensationalism in the Middle East By the end of August 2003, a controversial al-Jazzier talk show by Faisal al- Assam saw an uprising media sensationalism that created hatred towards Americans13. In the controversial radio show, one thing was very clear. A well-crafted public opinion platform heralds the slain leader Saddam Hussein and directed all manner of complaints to the Americans and British. Notably, in one of the public shows, Faisal claimed who was right between Saddam leadership that reduced embargo or Americans-British organization that starved the people and tormented many ion the refugee camps. It was notably one of the most controversial opinions to be held by a journalist who is supposed to have an objective and non-partisan approach on issues. The entire radio and Television shows helped to sow anti-America dissent among the Arab public. Besides, the Arab media were washed with sentiments that demanded an apology from the Americans and British soldiers for what was termed as interference of internal affairs. During a show in Iraqi National Congress (INC) in 2004 Faisal posed the whether Saddam administration, or American was responsible from crumbling economy. In his question "Do Iraqis have the right to demand an apology from rest of Arabs?" It was the most popular show that was followed keenly through 2003-200614. After his sensational claims, the attitude of the Arab citizens has never been the same again. He affirmed through a series of radio shows and television that the Arabs had been enslaved and manipulated by the United States. As a favorite presenter to many followers, he claimed that the U.S was not after the terror, but it was driven by ambition to weed out Islam and Islamic leadership. Evidently, media sensational is devastating to any noble goal. Following this popular Arabic Show, the approval rating of the U.S in Iraq and Afghanistan went down to below 10% by 2006. Use of Media by Political Activists and Arab Spring Media have been consistent in bringing out the awfulness revolutionary and power conflicts in Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Iraqi elections-Arab spring. In the wake of modern democratic dispensation, there have been political activists who have been championing for terror-like Islamic States. Notably, the Al-Jazeera has been on the forefront of championing Arab political spring in the midst of strict Islam rule. During the December 1998, desert bombing, the Arab public was treated with adverse public opinion15. It was played by the Al-Jazeera news to show discontent and public views were influenced greatly. It marked a monumental milestone that led to citizen uprising that has since spread to Egypt, Syria and other Arab nations. The sensational leadership claims by political activists drove people into streets, and massive protest was seen as an important step in the Arab political landscape. It has been rationally subjected to incompetent leadership without democratic ideals. The recent wave of massive protest against the old regime like Hussein Mubarak of Egypt is some of the important media sensationalism effects. In what came to be called “Arab Spring,” media was used to propagate propaganda and malice against Americans and Pro-west states. It served as a unifying factor to Arab nations. Al-Jazeera had been blamed for pro-Arabic ideologies that often anchor on narrowed and divisive global division. The call for a wake-up call in Arab during economic and political spring was achieved largely be use of mass media. Indirect Support of Terrorism by Media The excessive projection of the terror activities by the media has created sensational feeling of media supporting terror activities. Notably, Al-Jazeera has been at the center of controversial reporting of anti-American sentiments that borders support of the terror network in Afghanistan and Iraq. Besides, 80% of dramatic programs in television display violence and this have negatively grown a culture of violence. In advancing terror activity, the modern terrorism theory affirms that media is the fastest means of building and sustaining public fear among the people and government. In recognition of this important cornerstone, the terror groups have been highly capturing ugly incidences and using media to perpetuate the fear. Notably, the television coverage of beheaded American Journalists, the captured U.S soldiers and the whole of September 11 incidents build a firm foundation of fear to terrorism. In fact, there should be a novelty in any terror action coverage because studies have shown that one act of terror will influence the magnitude and how the next terrorist will act. Notably, there is trust in what they view, and the hallmark is to see media following their barbaric acts. The modern theorists suggest a modest coverage and more on the counter-terror efforts. Being a visual media, television is a powerful tool whose events and coverage of terrorism have arguably formed a precedent and yardstick of terror minds. It should be noted that terrorist without media is pointless. They represent radical views, and their attention is anchored on media besides, the sole responsibility is to gain world admiration or hatred depending on the viewers. Jihadist for instance, has in the past-engaged media in sideshows, talking tough on their commitment to enhancing their beliefs such coverage put media on the spot on its position. Moreover, the theory further affirms that a better terror group understands that television media is the best media sensational tool. As an organized terror group, Al Qaeda usually has media reporting personnel whose purpose is to circulate terrific scenes of execution and clips of recruitment and training. While media has justification to covers such events, there should be conscious not to appeal to the terror groups and fall into the trap of their intelligent approach to colonies the media. Michael Wieviorka, a French sociologist, finds media and terrorism interlaced at four angles16. Firstly, there is complete indifference where terrorist acts in total disregard of the media. Secondly, is the relative indifference where terrorist complete their acts with understanding of existence of media but not interested with coverage. Others include media-oriented strategy, complete breakaway where media is seen as an asset and as a liability respectively. Under the four strategies, terrorist have combination of these elements. Whichever the strategy, mass media is a powerful tool that has been used to advance terror and radicalization. Conclusion Media sensationalism has been a tool that has characterized the war on terror and retaliation by the terror groups. It derives its effectiveness through exaggeration and omission of facts in order to thwart facts. Al Qaeda and ISIS have evolved from local-based coverage to global mass media. Their activists in the Iraqi region have been execution and mass media coverage of anti-American sentiments17. It has managed to play with Arabic nations. American, on the other hand, has exploited "war on terror" as a sensational coverage while it pursues revenge from terror groups due to gruesome terrific September 11, attack. Works Cited Fortner, Robert S, and Mark Fackler. The Handbook of Global Communication and Media Ethics. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, (2014): 123-26. Print. Iskander, Adel, and Bassam Haddad. Mediating the Arab Uprisings. N.p., 2013. 45-61. Print. Jhally, Sut, and Bathsheba Ratzkoff. Peace, Propaganda, & the Promised Land: U.S. Media & the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Northampton, Mass. N.p., n.d. (2013): 78-83. Print. Johan Grimonprez: dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y Dutch subtitles." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov. 2014. Lynch, Marc. Voices of the New Arab Public: Iraq, Al-Jazeera, and Middle East Politics Today. New York: Columbia UP, 2006. 78-121. Print. Rane, Halim, Jacqui Ewart, and John Martinkus. Media Framing of the Muslim World: Conflicts, Crises and Contexts. N.p., 2014. 212-24. Print. T. N.p., Web. . Veer, P. T. "Introduction (Media, War, and Terrorism : Responses from the Middle East and Asia)." (2004): 142-45. Print. Read More