The Importance Of Media Coverage Of Terrorism

This week’s assigned readings were very informative. Three overall impressions that I got from reading the articles were that terrorists are using tactics that do not work, it will take an entire country coming together to produce preventative and responsive measures against terrorism, and that terrorists tend to portray themselves as decent people who are struggling to fight for a ‘good cause.’ Terrorists frame their agenda, struggle, and cause, as one that appeals to middle class and military aged individuals. This is the impression I had when watching the propaganda video from the PIRA (PoblachtachAontacht, 2012). Of course, appealing to a group of people is not always synonymous with achieving desired goals. Prior to reading the article authored by Abrahms (2012), I never considered the rate of …show more content…
If the American people took Abrahams’ article and other empirical research on terrorism seriously, it would serve as a tactic to prevent recruitment as well as producing rational arguments in responding to a terrorist attack rather than acting on emotions. However, this will not happen if the national media censors or misconstrues the coverage of terrorism. Matusitz (2013) laid out a list of reasons why the media should or should not censor coverage of terrorism. An interesting reason why the media should not censor coverage of terrorism was “lack of awareness would prevent the audience from understanding the political situation.” I am a supporter against media censorship so I believe that the televised media, a medium that the vast majority of adults get their news content from, must be objective and not opinionated so the American people can think for themselves. I would also suggest that the lack of awareness would prevent local and state governments from providing counter measures in fighting