The Media and Terrorism

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how an unfettered media can sometimes give terrorists an advantage by revealing security information and by giving them the publicity that their actions thrive upon. The paper shows, however, how the media can also be used during and following a terrorist action as a means of building connections amongst society and disseminating important information. The paper concludes that the media must play a balanced role in the case of terrorism.

Outline:
Introduction
Terrorism and the Media - A Balancing Act between the Freedom of the Press and National Security
Terrorism and the Media - Fostering Community Connections and the Dissemination of Important Information
Terrorism and the Media - The Future
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The roles and responsibilities of the media when covering a terrorist event varies depending on whose perspective one considers. Whether it is the terrorists, the government, or the media themselves being considered, three different sets of answers are often found, and these differing viewpoints often drive behavior during a terrorist action, which can result in both a tactical and strategic gain for the terrorists themselves. For this reason, it is important "to develop policy options designed to serve the interests of government, the media and the society" (Perl)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cohen, E., Ball-Rokeach, S., Jung, J., & Kim, Y. "Civic Actions after September 11: Exploring the Role of Multi-Level Storytelling." Prometheus 20(3) Sept 2002: pp. 221-228.
• Nacos, B. "Terrorism, the Mass Media, and the Events of 9-11." Phi Kappa Phi Forum 82(2) Spring 2002: pp. 13-19.
• O'Sullivan, J. "The Role of the Media at a Time of Global Crisis." International Journal on World Peace 21(4) Dec 2004: pp. 69-79.
• Perl, R. Terrorism, the Media, and the Government: Perspectives, Trends and Options for Policymakers. 22 Oct 1997. Federation of American Scientists. October 22, 2006 <http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/crs-terror.htm>.
• Rosenthal, U. "September 11: Public Administration and the Study of Crises and Crisis Management." Administration & Society 35 (2) May 2003: pp. 129.

More papers on The Media and Terrorism:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 114859 : "The Media and Terrorism"
• Research Paper # 29740 : "The Effects of the Media on Terrorism"
• Persuasive Essay # 1232 : "The Dangerous Impact of the Media on Terrorism"

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