To what extent does the relationship between terrorism and media amplify the impact of terrorist attacks? Evaluate with examples.

Use recent examples of terrorist attacks. From 9/11 onwards. Media chooses which side to pick. 9/11 which 3,000 people died gets covered, but 200,000 Iraqis dead by US invasion not covered. Currently with the war in Ukraine, they will label Russia as the perpetrators but not consistent with Israel. It’s become a tool of propaganda, both for terrorists and the media. • Victims of the terrorists’ physical attack provide the ‘signal’ • Media amplify and disseminate the ‘signal’ or message • Target audience responds with terror, providing the impetus for capitulating to the terrorists’ demands for change • The media are (mostly unwilling) allies of the terrorists – media want the ‘story’ – terrorists want their ‘message’ spread • Media have a lot of control over the impact of terrorist activity • Conventional warfare makes extensive use of psychological ‘warfare’ to amplify its impact • Terrorism relies almost exclusively on psychological ‘warfare’ for its intended impact • Terrorism is intended to instill terror in a larger target audience • Terrorism can also be intended to recruit more supporters • The media are critically important to achieving both of these goals Hoffman, B. Inside Terrorism, chapters 6 & 7. Reich, W., Ed. (1998), Origins of Terrorism; Psychologies, Ideologies, Theologies, States of Mind, Washington, DC: Woodrow Wilson Center Press. Schbley, A. (2004), “Religious Terrorism, the Media, and International Islamization Terrorism: Justifying the Unjustifiable,” Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, Volume 27, Issue 3, p. 207-233. Scheufele, D.A., and Tewksbury, D. (2007), “Framing, Agenda Setting, and Priming: The Evolution of Three Media Effects Models,” Journal of Communication, Volume 57, p. 9-20. Schmid, A.P., and De Graaf, J. (1982), Violence as Communication, Insurgent Terrorism and the Western News Media, London: Sage Publications.