Mass-Mediated Terrorism: The Central Role of the Media in Terrorism and Counterterrorism

by Brigitte Nacos

Overview

Mass-Mediated Terrorism, Second Edition, an in-depth look at terrorism, political violence, and mass media, 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 is 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 to incidents abroad, this award-winning book explores the use of political violence for the sake of publicity, media coverage of counterterrorism policies and its affect on political decision making, and the impact of new media. This revised second edition, which includes a new chapter on public opinion, is updated with analysis of the Iraq war, increasing terrorist attacks abroad, and subsequent counterterrorism measures. It also contains new information on the Arab satellite network Al-Jazeera and the use of the Internet in terrorist efforts. Mass-Mediated Terrorism 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781461640035
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/29/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Brigitte L. Nacos is adjunct professor of political science at Columbia University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction to Second Edition
Chapter 2 Introduction
Chapter 3 1 Mass-Mediated Terrorism in the New World (Dis)Order
Chapter 4 2 Terrorism as Breaking News: Attack on America
Chapter 5 3 Political Violence as Media Event
Chapter 6 4 E-Terrorism and the Web of Hate
Chapter 7 5 The Mass Media and U.S. Anti- and Counterterrorism
Chapter 8 6 Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the Media
Chapter 9 7 Responding to Terrorist Crises: Dealing with the Mass Media
Chapter 10 8 Conclusion
Chapter 11 Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

It is a disturbing truth that a detailed analysis of the terrorism phenomenon, first published in 2002, requires major updates a scant five years later. The new challenges reported by Brigitte Nacos are huge. New media have enhanced the power of terrorists to instill fear and recruit followers. To cope with the evolving dangers, citizens and their leaders need to be aware of these developments. Mass-Mediated Terrorism provides the necessary insights.

Doris A. Graber

Brigitte Nacos has written a masterful, indeed gripping, textbook on the media as terrorism's 'oxygen.' She shows how the bad guys fabricate fear to panic free-minded populations into sabotaging their own defining values. Her vivid case studies and astute analyses lead to bracing advice: We need to 'manage' news and information through more sophisticated strategies—but never defeat ourselves by abandoning our commitment to free, independent reporting. A superb book, essential reading for government, media, and an often mystified citizenry.

Keith Spicer

An important book. Traces the links connecting terrorism, the media, public opinion and decision-making from the Iran hostage crisis to 9/11.

Courant

Brigitte Nacos is to be congratulated. The full horror of September 11, 2001, is highlighted in Mass-Mediated Terrorism, but she also covers a wide spectrum of terrorist-related incidents. This book explores the dramatic impact of terrorism and puts into context the necessary need for worldwide media reporting. I found the insight into the media world as it struggles with the difficult role of reporting on such sensitive events of particular interest.

Mervyn Edwards

Provides examples of how particular groups (e.g., eco-extremists, some opposed to globalization, suicide bombers) are rewarded ('positively reinforced' in behavioral parlance) by the media attention their extreme behaviors garner.

Charlotte Observer

Exhaustively researched and well-written, this timely book advances the terrorism literature substantially.

Security Management Magazine

Mass-Mediated Terrorism's central strength is its unrelenting dissection of media coverage of terrorism in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. . . . An important new resource for media personnel, academics interested in terrorism and counterterrorism, policymakers, and students at various stages, as well as any informed reader with an interest in the topic.

International Studies Review

In this absorbing discussion of the critical role that media play in motivating terrorists and counterterrorists, Nacos explains mass-mediated terrorism as acts primarily designed to garner the widest media attention and coverage. Nacos builds nicely on prior discussions, with a number of effective examples from the last several decades. A valuable guideline for crisis managers and in communication studies. . . . Highly recommended.

CHOICE

Mass-Mediated Terrorism has much to offer in the way of descriptions of media coverage in the wake of the major terrorist incidents of the past decade and the way in which it helps terrorists gain attention and governments promote national cohesion and gain public support for counterterrorist actions.

Political Communication

In Mass-Mediated Terrorism political scientist Brigitte L. Nacos lays bare the logic of political violence in a media age.

The Instrumentalist

In this absorbing discussion of the critical role that media play in motivating terrorists and counterterrorists, Nacos explains mass-mediated terrorism as acts primarily designed to garner the widest media attention and coverage. Nacos builds nicely on prior discussions, with a number of effective examples from the last several decades. A valuable guideline for crisis managers and in communication studies. . . . Highly recommended.

Choice

Provides examples of how particular groups (e.g., eco-extremists, some opposed to globalization, suicide bombers) are rewarded ('positively reinforced' in behavioral parlance) by the media attention their extreme behaviors garner.

Charlotte Observer