Terrorism, how to report_Abela,Limongelli_NewMediaLit_Bratislava, Slovakia

Leonardo da Vinci Project 2012-2014:New Media Literacy for Media Professionals

Partners: SKAMBA (SK), Media21Foundation (BG), FOPSIM (MT) and Videovest (RO).

This presentation was prepared by FOPSIM and is free to use under condition of acknowledging authorship

Abraham AbelaMaria Limongelli

Terrorism: how to report?




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Terrorism: how to report?




Definition of Terrorism

• No universal definition of terrorism

• generally described as the use of violence for the purpose of achieving political and/or religious aims through inciting fear and insecurity to the populations.




According to:

Council of Europe United Nations

Definition of Terrorism




The definition of terrorism in terms of innocents and non-

combatantsPolitical or military strategy

that:

- Consists in deliberately using violence against innocents/ non-combatants

- Is a mean of terrorizing the members of some social or political group to achieve political or military purposes

- relies on the violence receiving a high degree of publicity




Defining terrorism in Europe

Offences against persons and property

Destabilising or destroying the fundamental structures of a country or an international organisation




Defining terrorism in USA

Official United States Government Definition of Terrorism

"[An] act of terrorism, means any activity that (A) involves a violent act or an act dangerous to human life that is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State; and (B) appears to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by assassination or kidnapping."




Defining terrorism by CIA

• The term "terrorism" means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents.

• The term "international terrorism" means terrorism involving the territory or the citizens of more than one country.

• The term "terrorist group" means any group that practices, or has significant subgroups that practice, international terrorism.




Elements defining an act of terrorism:

• Violent action directed at people

• Usage of certain methods as assassination or kidnapping

• Instilling fear in one group to force change in a behaviour of some other group

• Political or military aim

• A degree of publicity for the act of terrorism




The thought of Noam Chomsky

terrorism is “something“ that can be undertaken by both state and non-state actors.

The media can play a very important role in illustrating who really is a terrorist.

Walter Laquer

over 100 definitions

the 'only general characteristic generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence.'







Some cases of terrorist attacks Oklahoma City Bombing – 1995 Norway Attacks – 2011




Some cases of terrorist attacks

World Trade Centre – NY , 2001 London Riots??? – 2011




Categories of Terrorism

1. Religious terrorism

2. Political terrorism





3. State terrorism

4. State-sponsored terrorism




5. Pathological Terrorism???






6. Narco-Terrorism???




The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist Acts in Syria

Court cases because “giving

such attacks publicity“




The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist Acts Abroad: Ukraine

Ukrainianauthorities:

Anti-terorrist operations

Maltese media:

pro-Russian separatists/rebels

Rebels, fighters,

rejected any talks with “terrorists”




The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist

Acts Abroad: IsraelIsraelian

authorities:

Anti-terorrist operations

Maltese media:

Palestinian prisoners convicted of killing Israelis

Lack of emotionally filled materials and pictures




The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist

Acts Abroad: EgyptEgyptian

authorities:terrorism

Maltese media:

They focused mostly on the reaction of the government

A Terrorist or Separatist?




Terrorists or Separatists?




Ukrainian Authorities: „Anti-terrorist operations“

(Pro-Russian) separatists

Ukrainian separatists

(pro-Russian) radicals

Pro-Russian rebels/supporters of Russia

(other UA regions)

(pro-Russian) demonstrants/activists

(Pro-Russian) separatists

Self-defense forces

Pro-Russian activists (other UA regions)

(April-May 2014)




The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist Acts in Norway




The survivors and the victims` relatives as well as voices from

the public have criticized the volume of the terror coverage and the strong

and lasting focus on Anders Behring Breivik.




The secretary general of the

Norwegian Press Association, Per Edgar

Kokkvold, said: “You`d have to be

an idiot or be morally blind not to

see that it would be

extremely difficult for

victims` families if

Breivik is interviewed

before the trial”. .

The Role of Media in Covering Terrorist Acts Journalist Reports in Norway




Volgograd bombings

Headlines and news were full of dramatic titles and eye-catching phrases




Boston bombing is a perfect

example of presenting facts by

media in a very dramatic way. The

headlines were emotionally

charched.

Boston Marathon




Can lack of publicity stop terrorism?

“Democratic nations must try to find ways to starve

the terrorist and the hijacker of the oxygen of publicity on which they

depend.”

–Margaret Thatcher




• The main role of the media should be to

independently report events that are unfolding;

• The coverage must be accurate and impartial, while

the basic right on privacy must be respected. Also,

the use of graphic images should be instead

replaced by text for accurate description.

The Role of Media




• Journalists covering terrorist acts should

help in empowering the audience to

get involved in a debate;

• The policy in the media is that journalists

should understand that by granting the

freedom of expression, they must avoid

offering terrorism a platform, as well

as through the use of language such

as the universal word “martyr”

instead of “terrorist”.

The Role of Media




The Role of Media

Facebook, the world’s biggest online social network, is increasingly being used by terrorists to recruit sympathizers, spread propaganda and plan potential attacks, according to the UN




• Justin Carter case

• London Riots

• Al Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb (AQIM) and the Twitter account

Social Media




"The Mujahideen ('holy warriors') entered Westgate mall today at around noon and they are still inside the mall, fighting the Kenyan kuffar ('infidels') inside their own turf.“

Social Media- Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya




Neutral role? Do you agree that

„ the use of graphic images

should be instead replaced

by text for accurate

description“?

Evoking shock? Passing on

information? Condemning the

terrorist? Freedom of speech?

Exposing the vulnerability of

the state?

The Role of Media




Self-definition? Do you agree that

London Riots were act of terrorism?

Condemning the terrorist?

What about groups that are labeled

as terorrists by maybe be actually seen

as freedom fighters later on or even at the same time How do you define those fighting in Eastern Ukraine today?

The Role of Media

Terrorism, how to report_Abela,Limongelli_NewMediaLit_Bratislava, Slovakia

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