see attached and please reply to each post with 200 words each
post 1
It is the opinion of this author that the media’s role in the “War on Terror” should be the nonpolitical or opinionated education of the general populous to the atrocities perpetrated by said groups. This, however, is not a reality in the modern world. Most news stations have transitioned themselves into infotainment telesectors as a result of copious amounts of competition in reporting circles where they, “produce stories to entertain their audiences under the guise of presenting objective information” (White, 2017). Due to this intense demand for viewership, the media has itself become a tool for terrorism where the events in question are meditated on in such a degree as to boost the coverage of the cause itself and the ratings of the institution reporting it.
The worship of drama held within these conglomerates also engulf both the nation reporting said deeds and the world at large with support for terrorism’s feats. An example of this can be seen through the on going conflict between Hamas and Israel. Although the United States has classified Hamas as a terrorist organization since 1997, those within the politically liberal demographic have begun to protest in support of their actions as a result of the media focusing on the deaths caused by Israeli defenses. While the truth is Israel was prompted into retaliation by the religious persecution done by Islamic extremists, the narrative of terrorism has been extended from defense and retaliation to the story of the horrors of war. In short, the media’s current role in matters involving terrorism is the continuation of viewership through emotional charged epics instead of temporary informative pieces.
It can be said then that terrorism and the media do in fact have a symbiotic relationship. Terrorism provides content that entices viewership via drama, with the resulting coverage causing an increase to the receptiveness and sympathy of the activities in question. This mutually beneficial partnership ensures the continual survival and financial gain of both institutions through exposure. Even when demonized, terrorist groups succeed in their cause of spreading awareness of a perceived injustice. Longstanding reporting of any kind fuels the machine in which indoctrination can be encountered creating a generational cycle of terrorism. Simply put, if the conversation of terrorism never dies neither will the subject of it.
The only way to truly diminish the authority of these groups is through silence. This is not to say news corporations should willingly be dismissive to the atrocities of terrorism, rather that a one and done mentality should be embraced as to not give traction to the powers at work. While this may not be beneficial to the media in the short term, the establishment of integrity through silence breeds public trust which will draw viewers in. This can be observed in scriptures such as Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28, KJV, 1769/2024). Instead of being the first to report, be the most accurate and instead of relying on continual conversation be succinct and honest in the analyzation of data on a need to know basis. By doing this, terrorism will lose its foothold on the media and the public will be more receptive to the information wisely constructed within the news. In essence, the craving for relevancy satiated by discussing terrorism must instead be replaced with accuracy and dependability. Only then will terrorism lose its alure.
References
King James Bible. (2024). King James Bible Online. Accessed March 25, 2024 from https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-17-28/Links to an external site.
White, J. R. (2017). Terrorism and Homeland Security. Cengage Learning. https://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/evo/index.html?deploymentId=5035532456081341089686453292&eISBN=9781305640665&id=20
post 2
What do you believe the role of the media is in the “War on Terror?” Why? Do you believe that the terrorism and the media have a symbiotic relationship (they benefit from each other)? Why or why not?
Britannica defines War on Terrorism as the American-led global counterterrorism campaign launched in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001Links to an external site.. Since this event, our country has implemented an abundance of resources to counter future terrorist attacks on US soil. These changes enacted by the Government are consistent with the scripture of Jeremiah 29:11, which says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (English Standard Bible, 2001/2016).”
When considering the media’s role in the War on terror, I immediately think of our Constitutional rights. The media continues to operate under the protection of the First Amendment clause on freedom of the press. This Amendment guarantees the right to acquire information and the ability to disseminate it to the people.
I believe that the media has every intention of reporting coverage on terrorism by incorporating context that is relative to their mass audience. Based on the framework of the media’s company determines how and what information is filtered to its audience. Warfare has been prevalent in our world for many centuries. Matthew 24:6 reads, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet (English Standard Bible, 2001/2016).” Warfare is critical to any assessment of the role of terrorism in shaping our world (Combs, 2022). If we reference the history of warfare, we understand its role in the development of the World and the hierarchy established within Countries.
Warfare, albeit highly controversial, is an essential dynamic for media outlet reports. I believe that a symbiotic relationship has been created through the media’s lens on war. The press’s ability to capture the moods of warfare through photography & videography, their gathering of intelligence, and the scrutinization of the goals of war are essential for the people to know. The many different elements of war afford the media an opportunity to subjectively formulate a narrative consistent with the beliefs of their viewers.
The media’s coverage, which is often contradictory to the Government’s press conferences, delivers multiple angles into the evolution of a particular situation. This provides the people with the notion that they are receiving firsthand information from a trusted source as opposed to receiving delayed and limited information from the Government.
Could you imagine a World without the media?? Only receiving information from rigid and structured agencies that are personally vested in a situation?? The media’s freedom of the press is essential in our society, receiving live updates, authentic and unfiltered opinions, and perspectives on situations that matter to the people!
References
Combs, C. C. (2022). Terrorism in the twenty-first century. Routledge.
English Standard Bible. (2016). Crossway Bibles. (Original work published 2001)
