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Terrorism, an ever-present threat in today’s society, has become intricately intertwined with the mass media, playing a pivotal role in shaping public perception and understanding. As a complex phenomenon, terrorism defies a singular definition, encompassing various acts of violence aimed at creating fear and promoting political, religious, or ideological agendas. In this interconnected world, the mass media serves as a powerful conduit through which information, narratives, and images of terrorism are disseminated to the masses. Moreover, media plays a significant role in influencing public perception of terrorism through key aspects, such as selective coverage and framing, sensationalism, a portrayal of terrorists and terrorist groups, influence on public opinion, social engineering, stereotyping, and psychological impact. Furthermore, because of the perception created by mass media, people are also facing serious psychological and economic consequences, such as fear and anxiety, tourism decline, and trade disruptions. Although there are various challenges in the way of effective media perception of terrorism, there are some considerable steps that should be taken to control the rising threat of terrorism, such as counteracting selective coverage and framing, promoting responsible reporting and ethical practice, encouraging media literacy and critical thinking, promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices, strengthening digital media regulation, and promoting objective evaluation of counter-terrorism policies. Critically, the perception of media regarding terrorism has a profound socioeconomic impact on people. To conclude, the influence of mass media on public perception cannot be overlooked, and it is essential to consume news from diverse sources and critically evaluate the information presented.
Media plays a significant role in influencing public perception of terrorism in many ways. First, Selective coverage and framing by the mass media significantly influence the perception of terrorism. According to University of Maryland Research, Western media tends to give disproportionate attention to attacks in Western countries, shaping a skewed perception of terrorism’s geographic distribution and magnitude. Moreover, media framing techniques influence public opinion on terrorism by emphasizing specific aspects, such as religious affiliation or political motives. For example, if media coverage consistently portrays terrorism as solely motivated by religious conflicts, it can lead to the stigmatization of specific religious or ethnic groups, perpetuating divisive narratives and deepening societal divisions.
Second, the media’s tendency to employ sensationalism and fear-inducing narratives when reporting on terrorist acts has a profound impact on public perception. Studies conducted by Michael Jitter highlight that suicide missions receive significant media attention, leading to increased popularity among terrorist groups. Furthermore, a combination of graphic reporting and the amplification of fear can negatively shape public understanding of terrorism by emphasizing its brutality and threat. Third, the portrayal of terrorists and terrorist groups by the mass media influences public attitudes and sympathy. The article “Glorifying Terrorism” (2020) delves into the media’s tendency to glorify terrorists, often presenting them as anti-heroes or martyrs. Such portrayals glamorize violence, evoke sympathy or admiration among certain segments of the population, and inadvertently contribute to the spread of violence. By idealizing terrorists, the media unintentionally promotes them as symbols of power or martyrdom, potentially inspiring others to engage in similar acts.
Fourth, Media narratives surrounding refugee crises and their association with terrorism can significantly impact public opinion. The media’s tendency to link terrorism with refugee populations perpetuates negative stereotypes and fuels xenophobic sentiments. Such narratives create a biased perception of refugees as potential security threats, overshadowing the vast majority who seek safety and have no affiliation with terrorism. Fifth, In the digital age, mass media platforms have become battlegrounds for hybrid warfare. Extremist ideologies are disseminated through social media and online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. These platforms provide a fertile ground for recruitment, radicalization, and the spread of propaganda. The media’s role in amplifying extremist narratives and facilitating the recruitment process contributes to shaping public perception of terrorism. Additionally, the media’s tendency to associate terrorism solely with Islam can reinforce negative stereotypes, leading to increased discrimination and prejudice against Muslim communities. This stigmatization not only marginalizes innocent individuals but also fuels division and hostility within societies. Research has shown a correlation between negative media portrayals and increased incidents of hate crimes against specific religious or ethnic groups. The media’s portrayal of terrorists as representatives of entire communities can lead to collective blame and the alienation of innocent individuals who share the same religious or ethnic background. Such stigmatization undermines social cohesion and perpetuates a cycle of discrimination and marginalization.
Sixth, Intense media coverage of terrorism can have significant psychological consequences for the general public. According to the Psychological Survey 2022, exposure to continuous media coverage of terrorist acts can lead to psychological trauma and anxiety. The graphic visuals, constant repetition, and fear-inducing narratives can deeply impact individuals’ mental well-being, instilling a sense of fear and insecurity. Last but not least, the media plays a role in social engineering by shaping societal perceptions and attitudes towards specific religious or ethnic groups associated with terrorism. A study published in the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies explores extremist ideologies disseminated through social media and online platforms. According to Ethnic and Migration Studies, social media platforms have become fertile ground for social engineering. Social engineering tactics employed by terrorist groups include appealing to individuals’ grievances, providing a sense of identity and belonging, and exploiting societal divisions. Hence, addressing social engineering is very important and requires a multi-faceted approach that combines media literacy education, responsible reporting, technological interventions, and community engagement. Understanding the tactics used in social engineering and actively countering them can mitigate the influence of extremist ideologies and foster a more informed and resilient society.
Consequences of the perception created by mass media have far-reaching effects on both the social and economic aspects of society. Socially, the perception shaped by media coverage of terrorism leads to polarization and divisions within communities. Moreover, the erosion of trust and public confidence is another significant social consequence. Biased or sensationalized media coverage of terrorism leads to scepticism and doubt regarding the accuracy and reliability of news sources. When media outlets are perceived as prioritizing ratings or sensationalism over objective reporting, public confidence in the media diminishes. Besides, the perception created by mass media instils fear and anxiety among the population. The continuous coverage of terrorist acts, coupled with graphic visuals and sensationalized narratives, creates a pervasive sense of insecurity and vulnerability.
On an economic level, the perception shaped by mass media coverage of terrorism also has detrimental consequences. Tourism, a vital sector for many countries, often suffers due to safety concerns generated by media narratives. The fear and anxiety created by the perception of terrorism deter tourists from visiting certain destinations, leading to a decline in tourism revenue and negatively impacting local economies. Moreover, trade disruptions occur as a result of increased security measures and border restrictions implemented in response to the perceived threat of terrorism. These disruptions hamper business operations, impede international trade, and deter foreign investments, further impacting economic growth and development.
As every problem has some solutions, the perception created by mass media can be circumscribed through efficacious measures. First and foremost, media organizations should strive to provide balanced coverage of terrorism incidents from various regions, addressing the biases and imbalances in media reporting. Additionally, Promoting responsible reporting and ethical practices is essential in countering the perception shaped by mass media. So, media organizations should invest in training programs that enhance journalists’ understanding of the complexities of terrorism, encouraging a more informed and responsible approach to reporting. Further, encouraging media literacy and critical thinking among the general public is another vital strategy. By integrating media literacy programs into educational curricula and promoting critical thinking skills, individuals can develop the ability to evaluate news sources, recognize bias, and discern accurate information from misinformation or propaganda.
Likewise, promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices is crucial in countering the perception created by mass media. By collaborating with other countries, governments and media organizations can exchange knowledge and experiences, develop common standards, and share effective strategies to address media-driven perceptions of terrorism. This cooperation can contribute to a more consistent and balanced global media landscape, fostering accurate and responsible reporting across borders. Besides, strengthening digital media regulations is essential in the age of online platforms and social media. Efforts should be made to establish clear guidelines and regulations to hold digital media platforms accountable for the dissemination of extremist content. Collaborative efforts between tech companies, governments, and civil society organizations can lead to the development of tools and algorithms that effectively detect and remove extremist material, preventing its spread and influence.
Last but not least, promoting objective evaluation of counter-terrorism policies is necessary to ensure that government responses to terrorism are based on evidence, human rights, and effective strategies. Independent evaluations, academic research, and expert analysis can contribute to a more informed and rational approach to counter-terrorism. Thus, countering the perception created by mass media requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses selective coverage, promotes responsible reporting, enhances media literacy, fosters international cooperation, and encourages community engagement. These strategies, when implemented collectively, can contribute to a more balanced, informed, and nuanced understanding of terrorism, mitigating the negative impact of media-driven perceptions.
Critically, mass media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding of terrorism. Selective coverage, framing, sensationalism, and the portrayal of terrorists have profound implications for how individuals perceive and respond to acts of terrorism. Hence, the influence of mass media on public perception cannot be overlooked, and it is essential to consume news from diverse sources and critically evaluate the information presented.
In a nutshell, the impact of mass media on terrorism and its perception is undeniable. The selective coverage, framing techniques, and sensationalism employed by the media have a significant influence on people’s opinions and thoughts, both positively and negatively. It is essential for the media to publish every news story after thorough scrutiny and fact-checking. Moreover, it is crucial to avoid excessively magnifying terrorist events solely for the purpose of sensationalism.
“As Margaret Thatcher said if a terrorist takes action and the media is quiet about it, terrorism will end,”
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