Future Domestic and International Terrorism: Media Perspective

• NCJ Number: 123921
• Journal: Terrorism Volume: 11 Issue: 6 Dated: (1988) Pages: 543-545
• Author(s): D K Shipler
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom
• Note: Paper presented at a conference sponsored by the George Washington University, the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and the Leon and Marilyn Klinghoffer Memorial Foundation on "Terrorism: An Evaluation of the Reagan Years and an Agenda for the Next Administration," Washington, D.C., November 22, 1988.

Annotation

A challenging task for open societies is to maintain principles of openness and democratic pluralism in the face of serious terrorist threats.

Abstract

In Israel, for example, there is a democracy with an open society and a free press. For the Arabs, on the other hand, who live in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, there is no democracy. Great Britain bans broadcasting the actual voices or images of terrorists, although media coverage of terrorists may eliminate their use of more dramatic tactics. The most serious and damaging impact of terrorism is the reaction to it. The threat of arrest is not a deterrent to terrorists. An Israeli official acknowledges there is an emotional component to terrorism and that democratic principles of the State cannot be sacrificed in counterterrorism operations and policies. Intelligence collection on terrorists is needed but not in a way that deprives citizens of their civil liberties.