Mass-Mediated Terrorism: The Central Role of the Media in Terrorism and Counterterrorism - Softcover

Nacos, Brigitte L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0742510832 ISBN 13: 9780742510838

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2002

Synopsis

This in-depth look at 'mass-mediated' terrorism and political violence shows how terrorists exploit global media networks and information highways to carry news of their violence along with 'propaganda of the deed.' From U.S. cases like 9/11, Oklahoma City, and acts of ecoterrorists, to incidents abroad like Palestinian suicide bombings in Israel, European hostages held in the Philippines, and protests at major international summits, Nacos explores the use of political violence for the sake of publicity, media coverage of counterterrorism policies and its affect on political decisionmaking, and the impact of new media. She 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.

About this title

About the Author:

Brigitte L. Nacos is adjunct professor of political science at Columbia University.

Review:

In this absorbing discussion of the critical role that media play in motivating terrorists and counterterrorists, Nacos explains mass-mediated terrorism as acts primarily designed to garner the widest media attention and coverage. Nacos builds nicely on prior discussions, with a number of effective examples from the last several decades. A valuable guideline for crisis managers and in communication studies. . . . Highly recommended. (Choice)

In Mass-Mediated Terrorism political scientist Brigitte L. Nacos lays bare the logic of political violence in a media age. (The Washington Post Book World)

Provides examples of how particular groups (e.g., eco-extremists, some opposed to globalization, suicide bombers) are rewarded ('positively reinforced' in behavioral parlance) by the media attention their extreme behaviors garner. (Charlotte Observer)

Brigitte Nacos has written a masterful, indeed gripping, textbook on the media as terrorism's 'oxygen.' She shows how the bad guys fabricate fear to panic free-minded populations into sabotaging their own defining values. Her vivid case studies and astute analyses lead to bracing advice: We need to 'manage' news and information through more sophisticated strategies--but never defeat ourselves by abandoning our commitment to free, independent reporting. A superb book, essential reading for government, media, and an often mystified citizenry. (Keith Spicer)

An important book. Traces the links connecting terrorism, the media, public opinion and decision-making from the Iran hostage crisis to 9/11. (Courant (Hartford, Ct))

Brigitte Nacos is to be congratulated. The full horror of September 11, 2001, is highlighted in Mass-Mediated Terrorism, but she also covers a wide spectrum of terrorist-related incidents. This book explores the dramatic impact of terrorism and puts into context the necessary need for worldwide media reporting. I found the insight into the media world as it struggles with the difficult role of reporting on such sensitive events of particular interest. (Mervyn Edwards)

Mass-Mediated Terrorism's central strength is its unrelenting dissection of media coverage of terrorism in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. . . . An important new resource for media personnel, academics interested in terrorism and counterterrorism, policymakers, and students at various stages, as well as any informed reader with an interest in the topic. (International Studies Review)

Exhaustively researched and well-written, this timely book advances the terrorism literature substantially. (Security Management Magazine)

Mass-Mediated Terrorism has much to offer in the way of descriptions of media coverage in the wake of the major terrorist incidents of the past decade and the way in which it helps terrorists gain attention and governments promote national cohesion and gain public support for counterterrorist actions. (Political Communication)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0742510832
• ISBN 13: 9780742510838
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208