TOPIC: In what ways, if any, have terrorists exploited religion, the media and democratic processes to pursue their goals?
The events of September 11 brought the issue of terrorism to the forefront of world affairs through global mass media. The media linked the terrorists to the religion of Islam. Due to international human rights, democratic governments are finding it difficult to combat terrorism. In this essay I will critically discuss how terrorists group has exploited the media, the religion of Islam and democracy to pursue their goals.
Media
Terrorism is the use of violence against innocent's victim to bring about political change through fear. It is a combination of indoctrination and drama. With the aid of the present day media, acts of terrorism are now becoming designed to grasp the attention of the entire world and thrust the terrorist organisation's message into the spotlight for the whole world to examine (Weimann and Winn 1994).
The relationship between terrorism and the media is symbiotic. As terrorists require widespread attention, the media needs news (Miller 1982). Terrorism in effect is a form of advertisement of the terrorist's goals and what they want accomplished.
In 1980 the New York Times, printed a total of 916 articles on terrorist events. This means that terrorists were getting their message out nearly three times a day to the American public (Miller 1982).
Terrorists have usually used the media for four main reasons. The first reason is to have their message heard and to strike fear into their target group. The second is to win over the public's support for their cause, by highlighting themes like, the righteousness of their cause, and the assuredness of ...