Terrorism and the Media: What Is the Relationship?

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media is in the "War on Terror?" Why? Do you believe that the terrorism and the media have a symbiotic relationship (they benefit from each other)? Why or why not?

The media has undeniably played a positive role at times in keeping the public informed about critical developments during times of crisis, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. However, it is also true that certain elements of the media have profited from capitalizing upon the public's fears of terrorism. This phenomenon is not exclusive to terrorism. The familiar phrase 'if it bleeds, it leads' has likewise been applied to crime. The local news in many areas has created a pervasive sense that crime is increasing based upon publicizing sensationalistic cases, even though technically the rates of violent crime are falling. "Presentation of large amounts of local crime news engenders increased fear among the larger public…The effect of local news on fear of crime is stronger for residents in high crime areas and those who experienced victimization" (Dowler 2003).

There is an additional problematic dimension to the media's fixation on terrorism. Most criminals are not seeking publicity for their crime but terrorists usually commit acts of violence to draw attention to their cause.

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A highly prominent attack may act as unintentional fuel to the ideological fires of terrorists who want similar attention for their own groups. The 9/11 targets were not chosen at random but were specifically selected because of the media coverage attacks upon symbolism of American power would generate. Although the purpose of the news media is allegedly to inform, particularly in today's crowed information landscape sensationalist coverage can be beneficial (Wardlaw 1989: 76). The media can also foster prejudice against Muslims unintentionally by focusing mainly on negative portrayals of members of this (often misunderstood) religious minority.

The media must provide a counterweight to prejudice by self-policing and providing realistic statistical evidence about the likelihood of a terrorist attack vs. other, more common hazards. It can call attention the negative aspects of racial profiling to cause people to be more self-conscious about their unfounded fears. In an analysis of media coverage from 2001-2008 encompassing 50,407 newspaper articles and television transcripts it was found that press releases of Muslim groups "that were emotional, displaying fear and anger, had the best chance of getting the media's attention (85% of all the press releases went unnoticed by journalists). Not….....

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"Terrorism And The Media What Is The Relationship ", 10 July 2015, Accessed.3 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/terrorism-media-relationship-2152315
   

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