A universal definition for terrorism does not exist, instead perceptions of the meaning, which are subjective, culturally and politically situated, and fluid, (Oates, 2008, p.135) are constructed, primarily by Governments, and disseminated to society through its’ mass media. (Jackson, 2005, p. 16-18) Western discourse shifted after the events of 9/11 with this pervasive narrative shaping the contemporary understanding of terrorism, and the acceptance of counter-terrorism measures; that is what state practices can be deemed appropriate, necessary and supported by society. (Jackson, 2005, p. 8-9) Televising Terrorism, which examines how terrorism is portrayed within both news and fiction programming, categorises this as being the official perspective
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However, the siege is revealed to be a diversion for another threat; a resentful former agent attempting to access a secret bank account, discovering the identities of undercover agents in the process. It can be argued the siege plot was inspired by a factual event; that being the Iranian Embassy Siege in 1980, where a group of six men held 26 hostages and demanded 91 political prisoners be freed in Iran. (Taylor, 2002) This episode presents imagery including, the classical building being violently seized, a hostage policeman, holes being drilled for covert surveillance, and the SAS intervention, which can be found in the news and documentary coverage of the Iranian Embassy siege. This represents the official ideology of terrorism, originally shown to society in actuality reports and is a key feature of contemporary fictions such as Spooks. (Schlesinger, Murdock, & Elliott, 1983, p. 72-73) Furthermore, this storyline draws on the ‘enemy within’ discourse within the official perspective with the secondary plot of a former spy threatening national security. (Schlesinger, Murdock, & Elliott, 1983, p.
However, the siege is revealed to be a diversion for another threat; a resentful former agent attempting to access a secret bank account, discovering the identities of undercover agents in the process. It can be argued the siege plot was inspired by a factual event; that being the Iranian Embassy Siege in 1980, where a group of six men held 26 hostages and demanded 91 political prisoners be freed in Iran. (Taylor, 2002) This episode presents imagery including, the classical building being violently seized, a hostage policeman, holes being drilled for covert surveillance, and the SAS intervention, which can be found in the news and documentary coverage of the Iranian Embassy siege. This represents the official ideology of terrorism, originally shown to society in actuality reports and is a key feature of contemporary fictions such as Spooks. (Schlesinger, Murdock, & Elliott, 1983, p. 72-73) Furthermore, this storyline draws on the ‘enemy within’ discourse within the official perspective with the secondary plot of a former spy threatening national security. (Schlesinger, Murdock, & Elliott, 1983, p.