Media Coverage of Acts of Terrorism: Troubling Episodes and Suggested Guidelines
Open Access
- 8 September 2005
- journal article
- Published by University of Toronto Press Inc. (UTPress) in Canadian Journal of Communication
- Vol. 30 (3) , 383-410
Abstract
During the past 40 years there have been many instances in which media coverage of terrorist events was problematic and irresponsible, evoking public criticism and antagonizing the authorities. This article aims to shed light on the intricate relationships between government, media, and terrorists. Through close scrutiny of irresponsible actions of some media outlets in crisis situations in the U.S., the U.K., Israel, Canada, and Germany, it argues that important lessons should be learned, indicating the need to develop a set of guidelines for responsible media coverage of terror. One might think that in this triangle of government, media, and terrorists the media would side with the government in the fight against terror. This study shows that this was not always the case.Keywords
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