Lecture 2 media & terrorism crime

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Terrorism & Media
Propaganda: “Spreading of ideas or information to further or
damage a cause.”
(Congregatio de propaganda fide for propagating the faith, est Pope Gregory xv)
http://clashdaily.com/2014/08/beheaded-isis-beheads-us-journalist-james-foley-graphic-video/
Stephane Charbonnier, Editor of Charlie Hebdo

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Terrorist behavior: Terrorists personalities reveal aggressiveness, a degree of flawed
self-concept, a tendency to blame and scapegoat others, and a proneness to failure.
“Outstanding common characteristic of terrorists is there normality”
~ Martha Crenshaw
 Terrorists : Action oriented, aggressive people who are stimulus hungry and seek
excitement.
Reliance placed on the psychological mechanism of externalization and splitting:
 Splitting: People whose personality development is shaped by particular type of
psychological damage during childhood which produces characterized as
narcissistic wounds (injured self)
 Polarizing absolutist rhetoric of terrorism, extremely attractive
(its not us its them!)
Introduction & Concept of Terrorism
Motivations for Terrorism

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 Terrorist groups need to commit acts of terrorism in order to
justify its existence.
“Terrorist whose only sense of significance comes from being terrorists cannot be
forced to give up terrorism, for to do so would be to lose the very reason for being.”
~Posts
Suicide bombings - have occurred in 24 countries (350 suicide attacks)
Laqueur:
 Suicide bombing – is one prominent features of contemporary terrorism
 Believe that they were warriors in a just struggle in the best tradition of their
religion (or nation) - Doing ones duty!
Hoffman:
 Devastatingly effective, lethally efficient, and a greater likelihood of success
 Rational and calculated choice
 Media coverage guaranteed
Introduction & Concept of Terrorism
Motivations for Terrorism

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Terror as a Strategy of Psychological Warfare
Concept of Terrorism
Terrorist vs. Criminal: Motivated by a political agenda
 Terrorism works to undermine the sense of security and to disrupt
everyday life so as to harm the target county’s ability to function.
Terrorists want the imagination of the target population to work for them.
 Send messages to;
1. Supporters
2. Community targeted
3. International public opinion (Spain vis-a-vie Iraq)
Irrational Anxiety (Psychological Warfare - Pure and Simple)!
 Decision makers publicly make reference to baseless threats made by the
terrorists, thus granting them a credibility that they wouldn’t otherwise have
Media:
 Be factual but not graphic and amplify the destruction
 Should avoid broadcasting tapes made by terrorists
 Interviews with individuals terrorists (?)
Haroon Rashid Aswat

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Muslim Diaspora:
 Did they turn to violence after converting to Islam or if they converted to Islam so
that they might engage in spectacular anti-Western violence?
 Clash of Civilizations:
 Conservatives: Still hate us; best to have a firm hand
 Liberals: Universal outrage over evils of global capitalism and US foreign policy
Western Jihadist harder to explain.
• Global spread of retrograde ideas in both of Islam’s major sects (Atavistic)
• Muslim clerics found audience among young men born in liberal societies
• Why radical Islam seem to apply to Muslims in London, Toronto, or Brooklyn?
• Isolation has always been, and will be a condition of immigrant life
Globe of Villages
Terrorism & Media

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Present-day conditions of immigration foster a keen sense of unity
between diasporas and kin country
Mobility of the modern world produces a constant state of traffic between East & West.
 Modern immigrant community in a state of exchange with mother country
 Cultural / emotional bonds with non-Western society remain firmly intact
Internet: Generation of communities of readers without geographical association.
 Cost of delivering al-Qaeda propaganda to East London would be prohibitive
 The lack of broad demand would make it hopeless
Obnoxious ideas in the Arab world are alive and well:
 56% British Muslims claim that Arabs did not carry out 9/11
 53% Jordan
 41% Pakistan
 47% Nigeria
Globe of Villages
Terrorism & Media

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 Greater technological savvy seems to foster, rather than to
diminish the influence of Eastern delusion.
** Internet has allowed non-state actors to achieve new levels of organizations and
exert unimaginable political influence.
Internet made it possible for new human relations to emerge.
 It’s the medium that shapes/controls the scale and form of human association
o “Medium is the Message”
Print media & reading public helped to create the idea of the modern nation-state.
 Electronic communications are causing this idea to dissolve
 In electronic media this mystique of participation is the end itself
 Society no longer bound by rational interpretations of physical & social world
Globe of Villages
Terrorism & Media

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Universal participation generated by electronic media would put
an end to parochialism (quite the opposite has occurred).
 Least literate parts of world took up new media most eagerly
 Conflicts the new media created within the multicultural west
 Liberal state is dissolving into a collection of masses united by parochialisms of
“religion” and “culture”
 No civil society should tolerate a cleric who advocates its destruction –
1st Amendment?
A robust censorship of radical websites would only address content:
 Need to promote real literacy and the concomitant primacy of reason.
 Emphasizing only science and religion, with little regard for humanities curriculum
of literature and history creates and intellectual environment where parochialism
flourishes.
Globe of Villages
Terrorism & Media

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Terrorism & Media
Terrorism and the Media
Modern terrorism is a media phenomenon.
 Symbolic communication usually aimed at an audience
beyond the immediate victim of violence
 Perception of images defines the way violence is interpreted
o All media serve as a source of disinformation ~ Miniter
o Media plays to the lowest level of understanding among viewers ~ Slisli
 News sites present information to support a political view, making no attempt to be
objective - propaganda for the cause.
Meanings are socially created:
1. Reporting as part of a social construct of terrorism
2. Terrorists seek to manipulate their message through the media
3. While the media enhances the power of terrorism, it does not cause it
4. Terrorists will use the Internet to communicate as the relationship between
media and terrorism grow stronger

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“Facts” of a story: Manipulated by the people controlling the story
Communications three primary manners.
1. Media exposure magnifies events; terrorists and governments attempt to
manipulate reports so they are portrayed in a favorable light
2. Media plays a major role in creating the social definition of terrorism
3. World Wide Web (WWW.) has become a conduit propaganda communications
Media’s ability to create and sustain the social image of terrorism.
 Mythmaking: Television news shape the worldview of those who watch
 Every event is portrayed in a moralistic tone
 Islam suffers from cable news simplification
Terrorism & Media

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 Governments harnesses the power of the media for social control:
 Police and military offices are frequently trained at media manipulation.
Al Qaeda:
1. Attack especially if it is sensational, can dramatize a struggle
2. Zawahiri can turn to his own media related relations group
3. Zawahiri uses his own writing suggests by terrorism
4. Along with other jihadists, Zawahiri (al-Qaeda) uses the Internet
Jihadist attacks reveal three media strategies:
1. Seek legitimacy for their movement, especially to justify acts of violence to
other Muslims
2. Want to spread their message to increase sympathy for their militant
interpretation of religion
3. Opponents with different interpretations of Islam are targeted for intimidation
Terrorism & Media

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 Types of frames:
 Reporting frames: superficial, short, and laced with facts
 Dominant frames: one authorities view
 Conflict frames: two sides, with experts (CNN-Cross fire)
 Contention frames: a variety of positions
 Investigator frames: exposing corrupt or illegal behavior
 Campaigning friends: the broadcaster’s opinion (MSNBC –Rachel Maddow)
 Reporting frames: in-depth coverage of background (CBS-60 Minutes)
 Community service frames: information for viewers
 Collective interest frames: reinforce common values
 Cultural recognition frames: a groups value and norms
 Mythical tales frames: hero stories (Fox News)
Benjamin Barber: Entertainment! 24 hour news network:
“Infotainment telecenter,” News organizations producing stories to
entertain their audience under the guise of presenting objective information
 Purpose of television news coverage is to keep the audience primed with
emotion and excitement
Terrorism & Media

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News comes with a slant: Reporters are expected to create news
frames reflecting their outlets orientation
 Bias is neither liberal nor anti-American, based in market orientation
David Perrone: Bias appears on two levels:
1. Individual discretion of reporter collecting information for story
2. Public desire to watch or read the most captivating story
Reporter salaries: Less objective news appeals to specialize, politically biased audience
can mean lower overall wages for reporters.
 Reporters who frame stories with any political bias do not need critical thinking
skills (station managers can pay them less and increase profits).
Terrorism & Media

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International terrorist: Understand their attacks must be spectacular
in order to achieve international coverage
 In this sense, the level of violence is contagious (ISIL)
Wilkinson’s analysis of the media:
 Terrorist and the media have an interdependent relationship
 Terrorist groups have an underground communication system but need the
mainstream media to spread their messages
 Mass media services a terrorist psychological weapon by creating fear & anxiety
 Terrorists may trap the media and into spreading their message
 Media may shift blame from terrorists to victims or government
 Governments benefit when media portray savage cruelty of terrorist groups
Terrorism & Media

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http://clashdaily.com/2014/08/beheaded-isis-beheads-us-journalist-james-foley-graphic-video/
Terrorism & Media

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Terrorism & Media
“Media and State Sponsored Terrorism”,”
“Terrorism is a Theater”
 1972 Olympic changed the future of terrorism
 Terrorism during the French Revolution was positive
 Terrorists were heroes of the people;
 Champions of change - sought to destroy an oppressive ruling class
 The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
1: First to embrace tactics that involved getting media attention and
2: First international terrorist organization
o Hijack planes to make “a major media event”

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Terrorism & Media
“Media and State Sponsored Terrorism,”
 Munich Olympics: Estimated 900 million people in a 100
countries watched
 Gains political legitimacy – established diplomatic relations in 86 countries
(Israel - 72)
 Margaret Thatcher “publicity is the oxygen of terrorism”
 Terrorist commit violent acts;
1. To get attention
2. To gain recognitions
3. To obtain a certain degree of respect and legitimacy
 Terrorist select their targets for most media coverage
 9/11
 Beslan, Russia

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Terrorism & Media
“Media and State Sponsored Terrorism,”
 Michael Wieviorka: Terrorist relationship with media.
a) Complete Indifference
b) Relative Indifference
c) A media oriented strategy
d) Complete Breakaway
 Trends between the media, the terrorist, and government
1) A trend toward anonymity in terrorism
2) A trend towards more violent terrorist incidents; and
3) A trend towards attacks on media personnel and institutions
 Western media indiscriminately mixes terms such as;
 Revolutionary
 Guerilla
 Criminal
 Terrorists

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Terrorism & Media
““Media and State Sponsored Terrorism,”
 Terrorist use media for misinformation and media uses terrorist for ratings
 Media needs to be monitored held responsible for complications it creates
(i.e. NYT Israeli Policeman and Palestinian (Jew)on Temple Mount)
 Terrorist use internet to spread their message and to recruit.
 Technology is pushing boundaries of what television audiences are used
to viewing
 Causes of Terrorism - uneducated and poor
 Hizbollah: Increase in poverty led to a 10% reduction in participation
o Those with secondary school or higher have an 8% increase
o Lack of civil liberties is associated with higher participation
 Terrorism is a political, not an economic phenomenon

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 1998: Approx. 50% of the 30 designated “Foreign Terrorist Org.” maintain websites.
In 2000 virtually all groups have presence.
 Modern Terrorism and the Internet:
 Decentralization of communications
 DOD reducing vulnerability of communication to nuclear attack
 Internet: Having gone commercial -“estimated usage is over a billion users”
 Internet offers:
1. Easy access.
2. Little or no regulation, censorship or other government control.
3. Potentially huge audiences throughout the world.
4. Anonymity of communications.
5. Fast flow of information.
6. Inexpensive development and maintenance of web presence.
7. Multimedia environment.
8. Ability to shape coverage in the traditional mass media.
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net
“How Modern Terrorist use the Internet”

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 An overview/content of Terrorist Websites
 History of the organization
 Review of social political background
 Accounts of notable exploits
 Biographies on leaders and heroes
 Political and ideological aims
 Criticism of its enemies
 Up-to-date news
 Hamas and Hezbollah – Feature graphic displays of actions
 Audiences
o Current and potential supporters.
o International public opinion and foreign journalists
 Enemy publics
o Demoralize
o Stimulate debate to change opinion & weaken support for governing
regime.
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net

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 How Terrorist use the Internet:
 Psychological Warfare
1. Disinformation
2. Deliver threats
3. Disseminate images
4. Creating fear of cyber –terrorism
5. Could do….to Will Happen!
 Amplify its message (warning = media coverage)
 Publicity & Propaganda;
o Secure publicity-attracting the attention of television, radio or print.
o Shape how they are perceived.
o Calculated to elicit sympathy from Western audiences.
• Emphasizing the anti-democratic nature steps taken against them &
create feelings of unease and shame among foes (Gitmo, Abu Grab).
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net
Stephane Charbonnier,
Editor of Charlie Hebdo

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Data mining: Critical economic nodes.
o AQ “using public sources openly…possible to gather at least 80% of all
information required about the enemy.”
Fundraising:
o Political organizations, terrorist groups (e.g. the internet to raise funds)
o Banking information: Germany, Chechnya, IRA.
Sympathy:
o Donate to front group
o HLF, BIF, Global Relief Foundation and Al-Haramain Foundation
Recruitment and Mobilization;
o Capture info on users who browse their site
o Software to roam online chat rooms
o Ziyad Khalil-computer science major
o Muslim activist –running website for Hamas
o Became AQ procurement officer
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net

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Networking:
 Transformation from hierarchical to semi-independent cells.
o Modern communications are useful:
1. Reduced transmission times
2. Reduced the cost of communications
3. Increases variety and complexity of information that can be shared
Sharing Information;
 Terrorist handbooks (e.g. anarchist cookbook, turner diaries, etc., )
 Not just terrorist but also disaffected individuals.
 Conclusion
 Great virtues of the Internet
1. Ease of access
2. Lack of regulation
3. Potential audience
4. Flow of information
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net

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 Internet has turned into an advantage by groups committed to
terrorizing societies to achieve their goals.
 Must become better informed how terrorists use the internet and monitor same
 Agencies must improve their ability to study and monitor terrorist activities
 Defending societies against terrorism must not erode qualities and values that
make our societies worth defending
 Fear that terrorism has, in the past, been manipulated by politicians to
pass legislation that undermines individual rights and liberties
 Authoritarian governments and agencies with little public accountability can
use these tools to violate civil liberties domestically and abroad
Terrorism & Media
WWW.Terror.Net

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 White Ethnonationalists and Political Islamists five uses for the internet
1. Propaganda
2. Recruitment
3. Indoctrination
4. Fundraising
5. Psychological warfare
 Three uses of the Internet by these groups
1. Methods of Propaganda
2. Methods of Fundraising
3. Sites sponsored by lone-wolf actors
 Ethnonationalists and Islamist share parallels ideology and tactics
 Internet
 Allows domestic terrorists a transnational presence
 Islamist share same desires for expanding their base
Terrorism & Crime
“White Ethnonationalist and Political Islamist
Methods of Fundraising and Propaganda on the Internet”

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1995 problems started to emerge but only 5% of voting public had access to the internet
RW sites outnumber LW ration 10:1
Targets;
 Disaffected, English-speaking teenage, young-adult males and lone wolf actors
 1/3 white and ¼ Islamists target indoctrination of males between 8-22
 40% of online population speak English (“Us vs. Them” mentality)
 Allure of a peer group that cannot find in a physical world (“fear of others”?)
 Propaganda in a Nutshell
Attributes: Name calling; Glittering Generalities; Transfer
Interaction between likeminded individuals to validate and solidify problematic world
views and enables the presence of all-important charismatic leadership.
“Turn to Cyberworld for interaction”
Terrorism & Crime
“White Ethnonationalist and
Political Islamist …..”

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Don Black: Innovative Propagandist
 Stormfront.org (Ranking 6600)
More popular than; Michael Jackson web site, New York Times
 Martinlutherking.org (false sites)
Philadelphiainquirer.com
 Tolerance.org (Ranking 60,000)
70% of school-aged children and young adults would not know
the difference between MLK and legitimate website.
Music as a Lure
 “White Power” or “Resistance” Music
 14-16 year olds listen to music 40 hours a week (average)
 Heavy metal, standard genre of white power music, and alienation and
risk-taking behaviors during adolescence
 Resistance Records
Terrorism & Crime

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Hizb ut-Tahrir
Outlawed in central Asia and Germany, accused of terrorism and seditious activity.
 Muslimstudent.org.uk
o Group ideology no sponsorship
o Soldiers of Allah (SOA) hip hop/techno-pop band fans
o 1000 members
o Moderate is equivalent to being a non-believer
 Multimedia Devices issued by separatist groups:
 Computer Games:
o Relationship between aggression and game-play is stronger for men
and individuals who are characteristically aggressive
Repeated exposure to violent images will desensitize the subjects
 Ethnic cleansing
 Kill Jews
 Special Forces
Terrorism & Crime

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Hezbollah : Recreated actual encounters with IDF
 Resistance to the Israelis occurs not only through military ops but through
media as well. Intended to train children physically and mentally for military
confrontation with the Israeli enemies
Kaboom: Suicide bombing game
 Leaderless Resistance on the Internet
 Building their own sites
 Monitoring their own newsgroups
 Posting on chat boards
 Clandestine non-interactive participation
Terrorism & Crime

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White Aryan Resistance
Tom Metzger, Director of White Aryan Resistance (WAR) - Sued for $12.5M
Fundraising
 Low cost: Terrorist groups reach larger audience than historically possible
 Fund raise through 5 primary methods
1. Making appeals on web sites
2. Selling goods
3. Side businesses not identified as group-owned but are associated
4. Through on line organizations that resemble charity groups
5. Through fraud, gambling, or on-line brokering
 Internet and Web-Based appeals
o Correspondence sent directly to sympathizers
o Sending solicitation to newsgroups of likeminded individuals
o Issuing direct appeals
Terrorism & Crime

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 General appeals for funds needed to sustain their operations
 Fundraisers for legal representation
 Donations good toward “official membership” which entitles…
 Make appeals for funding because haven’t been designated as terrorist org
 Hezbollah supplies bank-account information to those who solicit them by email
and post bank information directly on website
 Side Businesses
 Legal advantages of registering their entire organization, or part, as a
non-profit or charitable organization
 Web-Hosting Services
 Under pressure from Watchdog groups to drop White ethnonationalist web sites
 On-Line Brokering
 Launder their money through on-line brokerage firms and other
non-face-to-face media
Terrorism & Crime

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Solutions for Change:
1995: Only one problematic hate site on the internet
1997: 163
1998: 254
2000: 3000
Today: Ranges from 5,000- 300,000
Solution for control
Multilateral to include both state and private agencies
 Civil-society actors demand that hosting firms remove problematic sites.
 Subtle reversal of problematic worldviews introduced by skilled actors
 Decoy websites should be launched to appear to be group sponsored
 Public awareness
 Educators must introduce instruction on the proper use of the internet
 Requirements to register a business on the internet must be more thorough
* Regulate free expression on the internet raises questionable challenge to the
1st amendment, laws to eliminate threats toward a specific target and incitement
to illegal action should be enforced.
Terrorism & Crime

Lecture 2 media & terrorism crime

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