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 Abela
Maria Limongelli
Terrorism: how to report?

.
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- combatants
Political 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???
Categories of
Terrorism

6. Narco-Terrorism???

The Role of Media in Covering
Terrorist Acts in Syria
Court cases because “giving such
attacks publicity“

Terrorist Acts Abroad: Ukraine
Ukrainian
authorities:
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: Israel
Israelian 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: Egypt
Egyptian 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)

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”.
.
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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