The Communication Characteristics and Intervention of Terrorism-related Public Opinion An Analysis of Manchester Bombing Terrorist Attack

Abstract

[Purpose / Significance] The crisis of misinformation will increase in 5G.The spread of terrorism-related information in sudden violent and terrorist incidents in social networks has a great impact on national security and counter-terrorism work. The communication characteristics and impact of terrorism-related information is the guarantee of counter-terrorism work. The construction of counter-terrorism intelligence intervention strategy is in line with the scope of national security, which also is the embodiment of the national security governance system and counter-terrorism capabilities. [Methods/Procedures] Based on the social network analysis method and analyzing the communication characteristic of terrorism-related information and the factors of intervention, this paper proposed an intervention mechanism for terror-related information based on online social network. The proposed mechanism consists of three aspects: communication topic, communication structure and opinion leaders. [Results/Conclusion] The study finds out that we should strengthen the role of opinion leaders in information diffusion of news and government media, in terrorist incident, the network structure is loose and free on the whole, the spread of information influences the network structure and interaction. Government should supervise a real-time control on information emotional trend and hot topic according to different types of network structure characteristics, guiding the positive information and cooling down the harmful ones.

Crisis Communication and U.S. National Security: A Comprehensive Review: Understanding the Importance of Timely and Accurate Information Dissemination

“…The communication characteristics and impact of terrorismrelated information necessitate the construction of counter-terrorism intelligence intervention strategies. These strategies should focus on the role of opinion leaders, the structure of the communication network, and the real-time control of information emotional trends and hot topics (Han, Tang, & Wang, 2021).…”

“…The communication characteristics and the impact of terrorism-related information, particularly in the context of social networks, have significant implications for national security and counterterrorism efforts. Han, Tang, and Wang (2021) emphasize the importance of understanding these characteristics to construct effective counter-terrorism intelligence intervention strategies. Their study on the Manchester Bombing terrorist attack suggests that the role of opinion leaders and the network structure of information dissemination are crucial factors in the spread of terrorism-related information.…”