Terrorist Propaganda and the Mainstream Media

Online news media and propaganda influence on radicalized individuals: Findings from interviews with Islamist prisoners and former Islamists

“…Previous research has often focused on the characteristics and effects of media coverage of terrorism on the public (e.g. Epkins, 2017; Nacos, 2016). Media reports about terrorism have been found to not clearly distinguish between terrorists and Muslims (e.g.…”

“…Ahmed and Matthes, 2017; Gerhards and Schäfer, 2014). Furthermore, media coverage is typically characterized by dramatizations and emotional appeals, including the use of emotional visuals, such as showing pictures of terror victims (Frindte and Haußecker, 2010; Gerhards et al, 2011; Nacos, 2016). Media coverage also typically focuses on specific events in preference to background reports that deal with the causes of terrorism (Frindte and Haußecker, 2010).…”

Addressing the Myths of Terrorism in America

“…In its wake, America became inundated with media, public, and political discourse surrounding terrorism and extremist violence. The terrorism discourse developed into one of the most important conversations in the modern era (Jackson, 2007; Nacos, 2016). Public opinion became increasingly focused on the terrorist threat, with the majority of Americans indicating their top safety concern was rooted in targeted terrorist attacks from international actors (Clement & Eilperin, 2015; Freeman, 2016; Martin & Sussman, 2015; Mechanic, 2017; Salvanto, De Pinto, Dutton, & Backus, 2015; Telhami, 2015).…”

“…Public opinion became increasingly focused on the terrorist threat, with the majority of Americans indicating their top safety concern was rooted in targeted terrorist attacks from international actors (Clement & Eilperin, 2015; Freeman, 2016; Martin & Sussman, 2015; Mechanic, 2017; Salvanto, De Pinto, Dutton, & Backus, 2015; Telhami, 2015). Current popular discourse suggests terrorism poses a greater threat than war, invasion, accident, natural disasters, and criminal activity (Nacos, 2016; Wolfendale, 2007). Counterterrorism rhetoric emphasizes the threat to security, lives, values, freedom, democracy, and the existence of civilization itself (Crenshaw & LaFree, 2017; Wolfendale, 2007).…”

“…This misinformation in popular discourse surrounding terrorism can have consequences. In the aftermath of 9/11, terrorism discourse influenced public perceptions of risk (Altheide, 2007; Chermak, Bailey, & Brown, 2003; Nacos, 2016), potential perpetrators (Ahmed & Matthes, 2017; Nacos, 2016; Shaheen, 2003), and the implementation of security measures (Crenshaw & LaFree, 2017; Jackson, 2007). It is important to empirically investigate whether the realities of terrorism match the social perception and social concern.…”