Problems in Media Coverage of Nonstate-Sponsored Terror-Violence Incidents (From Perspectives on Terrorism, P 177-200, 1983, Lawrence Zelic Freedman and Yonah Alexander, eds. - See NCJ-100393)

• NCJ Number: 100399
• Author(s): M C Bassiouni
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-NL-AX-0600
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Sale Source: Scholarly Resources, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Because terrorism depends on media coverage to enhance the impact of its violence, the independent media are torn between informing the public without restraint and restricting coverage in the interest of thwarting terrorist objectives. Media coverage contemporaneous with a terrorist incident may also obstruct law enforcement response.

Abstract

Terrorism depends upon the media to magnify the impact of its attacks beyond their immediate effect on the victims. Extensive coverage of terrorist incidents may encourage other incidents. Excesses or deficiencies in media coverage may enhance the climate of intimidation desired by terrorists. Repeated media coverage of terrorism may dull the public's outrage, endanger hostages' lives, and interfere with an effective law enforcement response to an ongoing incident. Regarding interference with law enforcement, the media may report information tactically useful to the terrorists while the attack is underway. The media may exacerbate the situation and impede negotiation. Media presence at the incident site can obstruct police movements and attract crowds that burden police with crowd control problems. 55 footnotes.