Even more than money, publicity is the lifeblood of terrorism and the media therefore plays a central role in the calculus of terrorism and through its choices can serve to minimize or magnify terrorist violence. This is the central premise Nacos (political science, Columbia U.) works from as he assesses the media's coverage of terrorism and counter-terrorism, paying particular attention to coverage of the 9-11 attacks. Overall, he finds that media coverage of terrorism tends to be overly spectacular, serving to further the goals of the terrorists while simultaneously limiting the opportunities for policy debates. Conversely, counter-terrorism measures are chronically underreported. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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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.
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