From: Bill Spight (bspight@pacbell.net)
Date: Sat 26 Oct 2002 - 18:22:14 GMT
Dear Steve,
> > Absolutely. Terrorists count on both media sensationalism and government
> > overreaction.
> >
> This is just a guess, but wouldn't the non reporting of terrorist attacks
> prompt them to try again to attract the attention that they seek for their
> cause?
>
That's certainly a possibility, isn't it? At least short term.
> I do agree that the over the top coverage is not helpful, but would be
> uncertain as to where to draw the line.
I do not think that either media coverage or governmental reaction were
prime motivators for terrorism on the scale of the 9/11 attacks. (They
were mainly acts of war.) Eliciting governmental repression is a real
factor in one's own country, where the terrorists want to generate
internal opposition to the government. But media coverage is always a
factor in terrorism. A terrorist means to terrorize and the media help
spread the terror.
Best,
Bill
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