What do terrorists really want? Money? Power? Publicity? Many researchers have concluded that a free media helps perpetuate terrorism in a society; without publicity, the actions of terrorist groups may ineffective and counterproductive in achieving their end goals. Thus, there is a relationship between the free media and the reporting of terrorist attacks.
While there are many reasons why terrorist acts are executed in contemporary society, this sample essay focuses specifically on the causation between terrorism and the free media, and acknowledges the most prudent steps that can be taken to limit these attacks from occurring in the future. If you like what you read and want a 100% original, custom essay on terrorism or any other specific topic, feel free to give us a call today!.
Terrorist Intentions.
Acts of terrorism are significantly higher in countries with a free media that report and publicize terrorism regardless of the trauma inflicted on victims compared to the prevalence of such attacks in countries with a state-controlled media (Gause 2005). Therefore, a free press will almost always assure maximum returns for terrorism and in turn will overestimate the relationship between democracy and terrorist activities. Terrorists want to spark fear within an existing population and generate publicity for their actions. This can be accomplished by large and rare dramatic attacks such as 9/11, but also smaller attacks in countries even where the media is not so prevalent, creating uncomfortable conditions for the target group.
With the continuing expansion of the free media, it is imperative for contemporary governments to address what can be done to decrease terrorist acts. In the ten years following the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. there was an increase in domestic expenditures of over a trillion dollars aimed terrorism prevention (National Priorities Project [NSP] 2011). The number of people in the world killed following the 9/11 attacks outside of war zones by Muslim terrorists is estimated to be 200 to 300 people per year (NSP 2011).