Wolfsfeld's Position On The Media And Terrorism
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The media and terrorism
This paper explores the points believed by Gadt Wolfsfeld, the help or harm on counterterrorism and the use of media to help terrorist.
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The media and terrorism
This paper explores the points believed by Gadt Wolfsfeld, the help or harm on counterterrorism and the use of media to help terrorist.
Written by Cari Mueller
Written by Cari Mueller
Discuss Gadt Wolfsfeld 's position on the media and terrorism
Gadt Wolfsfeld is a full professor at the Hebrew University with a joint appointment in political science and communication at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Prof.Gadi Wolfsfeld: Bio). Wolfsfeld has written several scholarly papers on political communication and five books. Wolfsfeld’s position on the media and terrorism is that the media is a primary tool for showing the enemy as a demon (White, 2012, pg. 125). The most important tool is the way the casualties are shown on television. Two sides of …show more content…
media announce what those casualties are and how then were inflicted. The other side announces casualties as statistics. Wolfsfeld believes that radio and print are important tools of media but that television exploits the situation by showing bloody images that are broadcast 24 hours a day, seven day a week. Wolfsfeld believes that the media makes conflict worse by subtly reporting peace efforts (White, 2012, pg, 125). The drama associated with terrorism slows down when talk of peace begins. Most reports speak about breakdowns in the terrorist attacks. Horrific reports take up speed when explosions and hostage incidents occur after the fighting has ended. The incidents are a part of terroristic retaliation after reports are broadcast over multiple media links.
Wolfsfeld also relates mass media as a part of terrorism (White, 2012, pg. 125). Wolfsfeld’s point on mass media being a part of terrorism involves joint efforts of the media and security forces to fight media images. The bias against the media is completely misunderstood. The bias comes from the media’s quest to sensationalize violence. The competition in mass media involves being able to show the most dramatic and bloody images. Wolfsfeld does not hold the media responsible for terrorism, but concludes the mass media is a part of the story. Wolfsfeld’s quote in our text gives insight on the significance of mass media and terrorism, “gladiators keep one eye on the opponent and one eye on the crowd”.
How can the media help or hurt counterterrorism strategies The media provides information informing the viewer of events in motion regarding attacks by various terrorist groups.
How this information is portrayed can help or hurt counterterrorism strategies (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh and Awabdy). The perception received by the people develops a hatred of different cultures and nationalities which in turn can hurt counterterrorism strategies. False stories given by US media in 1991 reflect how counterterrorism strategies can be harmed. The report form 1991 showed Iraqis throwing babies out of incubators in Kuwait. False stories can lead to more conflict and rage to further lead terrorists to attack. Any peace negotiations or counter attacks are delayed by false reports given by mass media. Journalistic mechanisms used for covering terrorism can inject hatred between enemies. A flow of mass media reporting has an impact on how counterterrorism strategies can be helped or
harmed. Mass media constructs news that perpetuates hatred among enemies and creates conflict as defense mechanisms on behalf of the terrorist (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh, and Awabdy). The media also can make any peace offerings with terrorists harmful by reporting too early (White, 2008, pg. 125). The early release of any negotiations can spark defensive mechanisms on the terrorists moving them to strike back by killing hostages or bombing other areas. On the other hand, counterterrorism can be helped when the terrorist believes that there message can be heard by the mass media giving them credit for the attack (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh, and Awabdy). The media begins the breakdown of the onset of more violence by associating the terrorist group with the tragedies committed. Terrorists believe that they have been heard and claim victory. Strategies can now be acted upon to ensure the terrorists inability to further attack. Another mass media concern with terrorism, is the battle over which side is actually the terrorist and who should have the aide to defend their country against such terrorist attacks (2003, Wolfsfeld). The continual war between the Israelis and the Palestinians urge support through media to counter terrorist attacks on both sides. The media addresses both sides of the conflict and terroristic mechanisms employed on both sides. The attempt to counter terrorism becomes vague when deciding which side is responsible for the terrorist attacks perpetuated on each side. We also must view as to when we, as Americans, allow terrorist attacks to happen. Sports is increasingly taking over from news on terrorism as we and Western European countries become involved more in sports than in news coverage (Martin, College of Jerusalem). When we ignore attempts made by terrorists to listen to their messages, they use our love of sports or other desires to wage an attack. The attack on the Olympics was just one terrorist attack that counterterrorism could have avoided. Media attention had shifted to the broadcast of a sporting event instead of keeping the alert on potential terrorist attacks. We open ourselves to the terrorists by ignoring messages. Mass media can inflict both positive and negative images on the war of terrorism.
How do terrorist groups use the media To advance or further its goals, a terrorist needs the media (July 23, 2008, European Commission). The media is used to spread the fear of terrorist attacks and further their political goals. The use of media takes the message further than in just the terrorist’s community. Not only does the terrorist get the message out, the media profits from terrorism. Viewer ratings surge with terrorist attacks which gains profits mainly for televised broadcasting. The internet is a form of media that multiplies force for the terrorists (2008, White). Terrorists are able to employ individuals to carry out terrorist attacks. Many times the terrorists find individuals who are already in the area which the attack is to occur. Movies and documentaries are another form of media that can help terrorists. A mock documentary can give the viewer the impression that they are watching a news analysis of terrorist activity. Terrorists can obtain the same goal of putting fear into the people by broadcasting continuous threats and declarations (July 23, 2008, European Commission. This is a form of psychological media used to intimidate people and governments into believing that a terrorist attack is imminent. Agenda setting and framing are media tactics used to portray images. Agenda setting is the theory that the more the media plays into the outlet of a situation, the more the public pays attention to what is being conveyed and contributes to the importance of the situation. The framing theory suggests how a situation is represented and understood by the audience. Terrorists want to be on the minds of their audience to further their cause. The media allows the terrorist a means to support their cause.
Bibliography
Interdisciplinary center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://portal.idc.ac.il/en/faculty/gwolfsfeld/Pages/Bio.aspx
Wolfsfeld, Froth, Awabdy, G. P. M. (2008). Covering death in conflicts: Coverage of the. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/martin3study/articles/Wolfsfeld.pdf
Wolfsfeld, G. (2003). The news media and the second intifada. Palestine-Israel Journal, 10(3), Retrieved from http://www.pij.org/details.php?id=1017
Martin, L. J. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~surette/mediasrole.html
Perl, R. F. International Affairs Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division, Congressional Research Service, (1997). Terrorism, the media, and the government: (95112). Retrieved from CRS Issu White, J. (2012). Terrorism and homeland security. (/ ed., p. 125). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. e Brief website: http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/crs-terror.htm
The media and terrorism
This paper explores the points believed by Gadt Wolfsfeld, the help or harm on counterterrorism and the use of media to help terrorist.
-------------------------------------------------
The media and terrorism
This paper explores the points believed by Gadt Wolfsfeld, the help or harm on counterterrorism and the use of media to help terrorist.
Written by Cari Mueller
Written by Cari Mueller
Discuss Gadt Wolfsfeld 's position on the media and terrorism
Gadt Wolfsfeld is a full professor at the Hebrew University with a joint appointment in political science and communication at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (Prof.Gadi Wolfsfeld: Bio). Wolfsfeld has written several scholarly papers on political communication and five books. Wolfsfeld’s position on the media and terrorism is that the media is a primary tool for showing the enemy as a demon (White, 2012, pg. 125). The most important tool is the way the casualties are shown on television. Two sides of …show more content…
media announce what those casualties are and how then were inflicted. The other side announces casualties as statistics. Wolfsfeld believes that radio and print are important tools of media but that television exploits the situation by showing bloody images that are broadcast 24 hours a day, seven day a week. Wolfsfeld believes that the media makes conflict worse by subtly reporting peace efforts (White, 2012, pg, 125). The drama associated with terrorism slows down when talk of peace begins. Most reports speak about breakdowns in the terrorist attacks. Horrific reports take up speed when explosions and hostage incidents occur after the fighting has ended. The incidents are a part of terroristic retaliation after reports are broadcast over multiple media links.
Wolfsfeld also relates mass media as a part of terrorism (White, 2012, pg. 125). Wolfsfeld’s point on mass media being a part of terrorism involves joint efforts of the media and security forces to fight media images. The bias against the media is completely misunderstood. The bias comes from the media’s quest to sensationalize violence. The competition in mass media involves being able to show the most dramatic and bloody images. Wolfsfeld does not hold the media responsible for terrorism, but concludes the mass media is a part of the story. Wolfsfeld’s quote in our text gives insight on the significance of mass media and terrorism, “gladiators keep one eye on the opponent and one eye on the crowd”.
How can the media help or hurt counterterrorism strategies The media provides information informing the viewer of events in motion regarding attacks by various terrorist groups.
How this information is portrayed can help or hurt counterterrorism strategies (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh and Awabdy). The perception received by the people develops a hatred of different cultures and nationalities which in turn can hurt counterterrorism strategies. False stories given by US media in 1991 reflect how counterterrorism strategies can be harmed. The report form 1991 showed Iraqis throwing babies out of incubators in Kuwait. False stories can lead to more conflict and rage to further lead terrorists to attack. Any peace negotiations or counter attacks are delayed by false reports given by mass media. Journalistic mechanisms used for covering terrorism can inject hatred between enemies. A flow of mass media reporting has an impact on how counterterrorism strategies can be helped or
harmed. Mass media constructs news that perpetuates hatred among enemies and creates conflict as defense mechanisms on behalf of the terrorist (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh, and Awabdy). The media also can make any peace offerings with terrorists harmful by reporting too early (White, 2008, pg. 125). The early release of any negotiations can spark defensive mechanisms on the terrorists moving them to strike back by killing hostages or bombing other areas. On the other hand, counterterrorism can be helped when the terrorist believes that there message can be heard by the mass media giving them credit for the attack (2008, Wolfsfeld, Frosh, and Awabdy). The media begins the breakdown of the onset of more violence by associating the terrorist group with the tragedies committed. Terrorists believe that they have been heard and claim victory. Strategies can now be acted upon to ensure the terrorists inability to further attack. Another mass media concern with terrorism, is the battle over which side is actually the terrorist and who should have the aide to defend their country against such terrorist attacks (2003, Wolfsfeld). The continual war between the Israelis and the Palestinians urge support through media to counter terrorist attacks on both sides. The media addresses both sides of the conflict and terroristic mechanisms employed on both sides. The attempt to counter terrorism becomes vague when deciding which side is responsible for the terrorist attacks perpetuated on each side. We also must view as to when we, as Americans, allow terrorist attacks to happen. Sports is increasingly taking over from news on terrorism as we and Western European countries become involved more in sports than in news coverage (Martin, College of Jerusalem). When we ignore attempts made by terrorists to listen to their messages, they use our love of sports or other desires to wage an attack. The attack on the Olympics was just one terrorist attack that counterterrorism could have avoided. Media attention had shifted to the broadcast of a sporting event instead of keeping the alert on potential terrorist attacks. We open ourselves to the terrorists by ignoring messages. Mass media can inflict both positive and negative images on the war of terrorism.
How do terrorist groups use the media To advance or further its goals, a terrorist needs the media (July 23, 2008, European Commission). The media is used to spread the fear of terrorist attacks and further their political goals. The use of media takes the message further than in just the terrorist’s community. Not only does the terrorist get the message out, the media profits from terrorism. Viewer ratings surge with terrorist attacks which gains profits mainly for televised broadcasting. The internet is a form of media that multiplies force for the terrorists (2008, White). Terrorists are able to employ individuals to carry out terrorist attacks. Many times the terrorists find individuals who are already in the area which the attack is to occur. Movies and documentaries are another form of media that can help terrorists. A mock documentary can give the viewer the impression that they are watching a news analysis of terrorist activity. Terrorists can obtain the same goal of putting fear into the people by broadcasting continuous threats and declarations (July 23, 2008, European Commission. This is a form of psychological media used to intimidate people and governments into believing that a terrorist attack is imminent. Agenda setting and framing are media tactics used to portray images. Agenda setting is the theory that the more the media plays into the outlet of a situation, the more the public pays attention to what is being conveyed and contributes to the importance of the situation. The framing theory suggests how a situation is represented and understood by the audience. Terrorists want to be on the minds of their audience to further their cause. The media allows the terrorist a means to support their cause.
Bibliography
Interdisciplinary center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://portal.idc.ac.il/en/faculty/gwolfsfeld/Pages/Bio.aspx
Wolfsfeld, Froth, Awabdy, G. P. M. (2008). Covering death in conflicts: Coverage of the. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/martin3study/articles/Wolfsfeld.pdf
Wolfsfeld, G. (2003). The news media and the second intifada. Palestine-Israel Journal, 10(3), Retrieved from http://www.pij.org/details.php?id=1017
Martin, L. J. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~surette/mediasrole.html
Perl, R. F. International Affairs Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division, Congressional Research Service, (1997). Terrorism, the media, and the government: (95112). Retrieved from CRS Issu White, J. (2012). Terrorism and homeland security. (/ ed., p. 125). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. e Brief website: http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/crs-terror.htm