Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the second edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Part One An introduction to political terrorism
- Part Two Some selected problems in the response to terrorism
- 8 Counter-terrorist policies: fundamental choices
- 9 Terrorism and the media: a symbiotic relationship?
- 10 The role of the army in counter-terrorist operations
- 11 The legal regulation of terrorism: international and national measures
- 12 Counter-measures against terrorism: the intelligence function
- 13 Terrorist hostage-takings
- 14 Counter-measures against terrorism: the role of behavioural science research
- 15 State involvement in international terrorism
- 16 The future of political terrorism
- Notes
- Select bibliography
- Index
9 - Terrorism and the media: a symbiotic relationship?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 January 2012
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the second edition
- Preface to the first edition
- Part One An introduction to political terrorism
- Part Two Some selected problems in the response to terrorism
- 8 Counter-terrorist policies: fundamental choices
- 9 Terrorism and the media: a symbiotic relationship?
- 10 The role of the army in counter-terrorist operations
- 11 The legal regulation of terrorism: international and national measures
- 12 Counter-measures against terrorism: the intelligence function
- 13 Terrorist hostage-takings
- 14 Counter-measures against terrorism: the role of behavioural science research
- 15 State involvement in international terrorism
- 16 The future of political terrorism
- Notes
- Select bibliography
- Index
Summary
(or ‘Don't shoot. We're not on prime time’)
If the freedom to publish rests, as indeed it must, upon a general public interest expressed in terms of ‘need to know,’ is this not most sensibly limited by that other public interest of denying to those who would damage the common weal the use of this potent, near irresistible force of the media? There is a real competition of interests here which must be resolved on a philosophical plane before the practical issues can be tackled. The terrorist is an urgent suitor; if he cannot get what he wants by seductive means, he will not hesitate to attempt rape. The real problem seems to be uncertainty on the part of the media whether to play coy handmaiden or harlot.
It is well recognised that some form of symbiotic relationship exists between the news media and perpetrators of spectacular terrorist incidents. One of the most important aims of a terrorist attack is to gain publicity for a particular cause. In some cases, publicity is the sole aim. The presumed primary aim of the news media is to inform. However, it is at least as important in practice to entertain, shock, amuse or otherwise affect the emotions of the audience. This is particularly true of the medium of television. Competition between media organisations seems to heighten the necessity to focus on the emotion-generating as opposed to the purely informational aspects of news reporting.
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- Chapter
- Information
- Political TerrorismTheory, Tactics and Counter-Measures, pp. 76 - 86Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1989
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