Oklahoma City Bombing Analysis

In the Oklahoma City bombing, the medias influence had substantially magnified the effect of this terrorist act. Media covered the event for days, and the public was watching because it was a major source of information. However, Pfefferbaum concluded, if people are experiencing fear, arousal and hypervigilance it can lead to seeking further information and continuing concerns about safety (Vasterman, Yzermans, & Dirkzwager, 2005). In addition, viewing the televised coverage from this bombing also contributed to an increase of posttraumatic stress symptomatology in children and increased viewing can be a sign of the distress (Vasterman, Yzermans, & Dirkzwager, 2005). Surprisingly, even children who watched the media coverage from other parts of the nation showed signs of symptomatology (Vasterman, Yzermans, Dirkzwager, 2005). This shows how much of an influence and effect the media can have on a person’s state of mind, and even those who were not directly affected by the event can show lasting effects. The media manly focuses on how many fatalities and injuries occurred, what type of property damage occurred, who is to blame for the attack, and could have this attack been prevented. Furthermore, media also plays as many videos and displays as many pictures as possible even when these images are disturbing (Vasterman, Yzermans, …show more content…
In a study of terrorist’s incidents around the globe during the 1960s and 1970s researchers found that methods such as hijackings, kidnappings, and bombings were more publicized and contagious than assassinations and raids (Nacos, 2016). Realizing this information, terrorists then choose methods that will give them more attention and shock factor seeing it is more effective. It is visual and unusual violence that creates noteworthy media that attracts international publicity necessary for cross-regional and cross-cultural