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Mass-Mediated Terrorism: The Central Role of the Media in Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and their associates wrote a new chapter in the annals of terrorism on September 11 with the most lethal acts of political violence to date. Although the magnitude of the actions was unprecedented, the role of mass media in this terrorist scheme was as central as ever.
This in-depth look at "mass-mediated" terrorism and political violence shows how terrorists exploit global media networks and information highways to carry news of their violence along with "propaganda of the deed."
To what extent are the media advancing or obstructing the propaganda and policy goals of terrorists and their targets? Has the Internet strengthened the hands of terrorists to organize, recruit, and spread propaganda? How have targets of terrorism used the media to manipulate public opinion and advance their own agendas?
From U.S. cases like 9/11, Oklahoma City, and acts of ecoterrorists, to incidents abroad like Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel, European hostages held in the Philippines, and violent protests at major international summits, Nacos explores the use of political violence for the sake of publicity, media coverage of counterterrorism policies and its affect on political decisionmaking, and the impact of new media. She offers a blueprint both for effective public information and media relations during terrorism crises as well as for ethical news coverage of major terrorism incidents.
This in-depth look at "mass-mediated" terrorism and political violence shows how terrorists exploit global media networks and information highways to carry news of their violence along with "propaganda of the deed."
To what extent are the media advancing or obstructing the propaganda and policy goals of terrorists and their targets? Has the Internet strengthened the hands of terrorists to organize, recruit, and spread propaganda? How have targets of terrorism used the media to manipulate public opinion and advance their own agendas?
From U.S. cases like 9/11, Oklahoma City, and acts of ecoterrorists, to incidents abroad like Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel, European hostages held in the Philippines, and violent protests at major international summits, Nacos explores the use of political violence for the sake of publicity, media coverage of counterterrorism policies and its affect on political decisionmaking, and the impact of new media. She offers a blueprint both for effective public information and media relations during terrorism crises as well as for ethical news coverage of major terrorism incidents.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
First published September 18, 2002
About the author
Brigitte L. Nacos
9 books1 followerBrigitte Lebens Nacos (born 1936) is an Adjunct Professor in political science at Columbia University.[1] She has written on the news media, the politics of Germany, and terrorism.
She is a joint author of a paper, "Prevention of Terrorism in Post-9/11 America" which was delivered at the Summer 2006 meeting of the American Political Science Association; the paper addresses the correlation between increases in terrorism alert levels and the popularity of U.S. President George W. Bush. Referring to her study of terrorism alerts, media coverage, and Bush's popularity, journalist Matthew Stannard wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that "The media will repeat the president's remarks. Public fear of terrorism will increase. And the president's poll numbers will rise."
She is a joint author of a paper, "Prevention of Terrorism in Post-9/11 America" which was delivered at the Summer 2006 meeting of the American Political Science Association; the paper addresses the correlation between increases in terrorism alert levels and the popularity of U.S. President George W. Bush. Referring to her study of terrorism alerts, media coverage, and Bush's popularity, journalist Matthew Stannard wrote in the San Francisco Chronicle that "The media will repeat the president's remarks. Public fear of terrorism will increase. And the president's poll numbers will rise."
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May 8, 2023
Honestly, the book was really interesting and I recommend. I went in initially looking for information specifically relating to the coverage of 9/11, and how the media failed to predict the event, and then later, failed in their coverage of the tragedy. The book provided a comprehensive look at the symbiotic relationship between media coverage and terrorism, because while media coverage is necessary to inform the general public (on both a domestic and international scale), it also assists terrorist organizations in broadcasting their message and manifesto.
Terrorism, at its core, is a deliberate and intentional attack to convey a larger message. The primary victims are not important; rather, they serve as symbolic representations and are usually chosen strategically to garner the most media attention. This is a critical element of terrorism, to acquire publicity and spread their message with the world. I thought her description of the long-term effects of terrorist media coverage was solid, showing how it becomes a biased narration (usually strongly pro-nationalist and pro-government) of good vs. evil. It can also have extremely damaging long-term effects, as portrayed in the aftermath in the 9/11 attacks, where oppressive policies that would have otherwise been opposed were celebrated in the name of national security, and a war was being fought that perhaps would not have begun without the sense of extreme nationalism in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Nacos describes how both terrorist organizations and governments alike tend to manipulate the media in the wake of an attack like 9/11, framing the attack in a certain way.
Bush utilized the media and the fears of the American public to gather support for military action in the Middle East, using a social frame of vengeance to retaliate against those who perpetrated the attack. Terrorist coverage in the years following 9/11 inspired a rage in national viewers, perpetuating negative stereotypes of the Middle East and the Muslim religion (as there was a media narrative that presented the religion as barbaric and patriarchal). America was in a state of mass hysteria, and those perceived to be Muslim were murdered in retaliation for 9/11. Fear dominated the media, and did little to prevent the negative stereotypes and violence from occurring against Muslims and those of Middle Eastern descent.
Honestly, I didn't get to finish the book because I had to return it, but I plan to read more of her analysis of all these different facets of a terrorist attack that I had never known much about (the public reaction, media coverage, government and political leaders, counterterrorism actions). It's an important topic that many don't know much about
Terrorism, at its core, is a deliberate and intentional attack to convey a larger message. The primary victims are not important; rather, they serve as symbolic representations and are usually chosen strategically to garner the most media attention. This is a critical element of terrorism, to acquire publicity and spread their message with the world. I thought her description of the long-term effects of terrorist media coverage was solid, showing how it becomes a biased narration (usually strongly pro-nationalist and pro-government) of good vs. evil. It can also have extremely damaging long-term effects, as portrayed in the aftermath in the 9/11 attacks, where oppressive policies that would have otherwise been opposed were celebrated in the name of national security, and a war was being fought that perhaps would not have begun without the sense of extreme nationalism in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Nacos describes how both terrorist organizations and governments alike tend to manipulate the media in the wake of an attack like 9/11, framing the attack in a certain way.
Bush utilized the media and the fears of the American public to gather support for military action in the Middle East, using a social frame of vengeance to retaliate against those who perpetrated the attack. Terrorist coverage in the years following 9/11 inspired a rage in national viewers, perpetuating negative stereotypes of the Middle East and the Muslim religion (as there was a media narrative that presented the religion as barbaric and patriarchal). America was in a state of mass hysteria, and those perceived to be Muslim were murdered in retaliation for 9/11. Fear dominated the media, and did little to prevent the negative stereotypes and violence from occurring against Muslims and those of Middle Eastern descent.
Honestly, I didn't get to finish the book because I had to return it, but I plan to read more of her analysis of all these different facets of a terrorist attack that I had never known much about (the public reaction, media coverage, government and political leaders, counterterrorism actions). It's an important topic that many don't know much about
March 18, 2019
„Mass-Mediated Terrorism” by Brigitte L. Nacos provides a well-researched and consequent description of the interdependent relation between modern terrorists trying to reach a global audience and the global mass-media wanting to provide breaking news throughout the news cycle.
Nacos starts her treatise of the subject by providing a solid understanding of the changing face of terrorism, providing a definition and comparisons between 21st century terrorist operations and previous ones with a special focus on their publicity related objectives. She then goes on to show from detailed analysis of media coverage how the terror attack of 9/11 impacted the media coverage in the United States. The author shows how the attack was translated into a narration of good vs. evil and how the media became less critical of politicians in the wake of the attack, while focusing more on stories about terrorist threats and Muslims in general. Going into more detail of the treatment of political violence by the media, Nacos describes how the media pushes political violence stories and overemphasizes their threat potential to keep reporting on them. Chapter four describes how terrorist groups and sympathizers use the internet to gain an audience and support circumventing the mass-media and thus make themselves independent of media attempts to control or contain stories. The media focus on violent action does not only affect reporting on terrorism but counterterrorism too. Here the author finds another clear focus on violent action like military strikes but much less reporting about terrorism prevention or non-violent programs to counter the message of the terrorists. This again translates into public opinion as excessive reporting on threats generates a public demand for better terrorism preparedness with a focus on armed intervention and favor for decisive action against terrorists. From the previous descriptions the author generates a number of recommendations for response personnel on how to deal with the mass media after terrorist attacks to prevent media backlash but also curb the effects terrorists want to gain by their actions.
The author provides a thorough analysis of the relation of terrorist attacks and media attention and makes practical recommendations on their handling. The use of much data analysis and citation of sources does not make for a gripping read though. Like reporting in the media violent and decisive action is often a better story than more effective but non-violent means and here writing about countering terrorism by containing media coverage is less thrilling than reading about Special Forces raids. The average reader might lose interest in the details of the topic though. Nevertheless Nacos makes important points not just on the topic of terrorism and counterterrorism. If terrorists try to affect the public and the political leadership by ways of them media and politicians need to demonstrate responsiveness by ways of the media, which focusses on violent action, the media by itself will fuel an escalation of violence at the expanse of underreported non-violent means. Although not in scope of this book the same might be true for other policy areas were politicians seek swift and decisive action as it will be reported, whereas more effective but less flashy means might be discarded. It this respect Nacos provides an important insight into the interaction of the media, the public and politics in general.
This is an important book on terrorism as it deals with one of the terrorists most important objectives of gaining a wide public perception of their actions. While less flashy than violent counterterrorism operations remodeling media coverage of terrorist acts might be a more important counterterrorism technique than many others.
Nacos starts her treatise of the subject by providing a solid understanding of the changing face of terrorism, providing a definition and comparisons between 21st century terrorist operations and previous ones with a special focus on their publicity related objectives. She then goes on to show from detailed analysis of media coverage how the terror attack of 9/11 impacted the media coverage in the United States. The author shows how the attack was translated into a narration of good vs. evil and how the media became less critical of politicians in the wake of the attack, while focusing more on stories about terrorist threats and Muslims in general. Going into more detail of the treatment of political violence by the media, Nacos describes how the media pushes political violence stories and overemphasizes their threat potential to keep reporting on them. Chapter four describes how terrorist groups and sympathizers use the internet to gain an audience and support circumventing the mass-media and thus make themselves independent of media attempts to control or contain stories. The media focus on violent action does not only affect reporting on terrorism but counterterrorism too. Here the author finds another clear focus on violent action like military strikes but much less reporting about terrorism prevention or non-violent programs to counter the message of the terrorists. This again translates into public opinion as excessive reporting on threats generates a public demand for better terrorism preparedness with a focus on armed intervention and favor for decisive action against terrorists. From the previous descriptions the author generates a number of recommendations for response personnel on how to deal with the mass media after terrorist attacks to prevent media backlash but also curb the effects terrorists want to gain by their actions.
The author provides a thorough analysis of the relation of terrorist attacks and media attention and makes practical recommendations on their handling. The use of much data analysis and citation of sources does not make for a gripping read though. Like reporting in the media violent and decisive action is often a better story than more effective but non-violent means and here writing about countering terrorism by containing media coverage is less thrilling than reading about Special Forces raids. The average reader might lose interest in the details of the topic though. Nevertheless Nacos makes important points not just on the topic of terrorism and counterterrorism. If terrorists try to affect the public and the political leadership by ways of them media and politicians need to demonstrate responsiveness by ways of the media, which focusses on violent action, the media by itself will fuel an escalation of violence at the expanse of underreported non-violent means. Although not in scope of this book the same might be true for other policy areas were politicians seek swift and decisive action as it will be reported, whereas more effective but less flashy means might be discarded. It this respect Nacos provides an important insight into the interaction of the media, the public and politics in general.
This is an important book on terrorism as it deals with one of the terrorists most important objectives of gaining a wide public perception of their actions. While less flashy than violent counterterrorism operations remodeling media coverage of terrorist acts might be a more important counterterrorism technique than many others.
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