2. The Information Battleground Terrorist Violence and the Role of the Media

3.  The Perspective of the Media  Media spin.  News triage.  The Perspective of Governments  Media as a source of concern.  Reporting of terrorism as a source of concern.  Some animosity.

4.  Publicizing the Cause  Media-oriented terrorism.  Broad exposure via mass communications.  Mass Communications and the Terrorists’ Message  Print media.  Radio.  Television.  The Internet.

5. Exploring the Role of the Media (continued)  The “New Media”  New technologies and alternative broadcasting formats.  Examples:  Political talk radio.  Television news magazines.  Electronic town meetings.  Tabloid reporting.

6. Exploring the Role of the Media (continued)  Reporting Terrorism  Market competition as a factor.  Decisions:  Which incidents to report.  How to report incidents.  Terrorist-initiated labeling.  Labeling enemies and targets.  Scapegoating.

8.  Using the Media  Manipulation of the news “scoop.”  Points of criticism.  Journalists disseminating terrorist propaganda.  Shift from objectivity to sensational opinion.  Realignments within the political environment.  Counterpointing criticism.

9. War for the Information High Ground  The Media as a Weapon  “Information is power.”  Case: Hijacking of TWA Flight 847.  The contagion effect.  The Risk of Backlash  Terrorists can diminish their influence via unpopular acts.  Terrorists can strengthen the resolve of adversaries.

10.  The Free Press  Media gatekeeping.  Journalistic self-regulation.  Case: British Official Secrets Act.  The State-Regulated Press  Routine intervention in reporting by the state.  Media is used to benefit the state.  Case: Cults of personality.