Media Coverage and Political Terrorists: A Quantitative Analysis

(Hardback)

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This book studies the relationship between news media coverage and terrorist success. Utilizing his four-year database of barricade-and-hostage and hijacking atrocities by international terrorists and the coverage afforded those events by newspapers from three Western nations (Germany, Great Britain, and the United States), Richard W. Schaffert observes the effect of media coverage (newspaper column space provided, articles and photographs published) on whether concessions were made to terrorist demands, and establishes a strong positive relationship between coverage and terrorist success. In chapter 1, Schaffert aims to establish a definition of political terrorism by identifying the basic elements that distinguish it from other forms of political violence, then applies this definition throughout his analysis. The functions of political terrorism are reviewed, with special consideration given to the use of terrorism as an instrument of politics. Schaffert evaluates state experiences with political terrorism in terms of the nature of the threat, countermeasures employed, the media's role, the the relationship between public, press, and government. Finally, the question of the responsibilities of a democratic society's media in the reporting of terrorism is considered. Schaffert's extensive database, which is included as an appendix, may prove valuable for further research in the area.

Reviews

Schaffert criticizes leading newspapers in the U.S., Britain, and Germany for their coverage of 49 international terrorism events from 1978 to 1981. The author, a former military analyst, argues that the terrorist situations represent a very rare circumstance in which straightforward reporting about goals, aspirations, and demands of terrorists may be socially irresponsible. Although he concedes that international news reporting about terrorist incidents often reflects self-restraint, his empirical study of 49 terrorist incidents suggests that widespread publicity may force public officials to make premature concessions to terrorist demands. Schaffert analyzes terrorists coverage in The New York Times, London Times, and Die Welt. Most of his critical remarks about news reporting appear in a concluding chapter following a scholarly literature review of media and terrorism and an explanation of his quantitative methodology and findings. The author carefully narrows his discussion and recommendations to terrorist incidents, and he explains that his conclusions are not generalizable to reporting about military or criminal activities. The book, which is well researched and written, is an addition to the journalism literature that questions whether national and international security are more important than freedom of information. The research does not explore the role of television news. Some issues regarding how concessions to terrorist demands result from press publicity also are left unresolved. Recommended for serious collections in journalism ethics and freedom of information.-Choice
"Schaffert criticizes leading newspapers in the U.S., Britain, and Germany for their coverage of 49 international terrorism events from 1978 to 1981. The author, a former military analyst, argues that the terrorist situations represent a very rare circumstance in which straightforward reporting about goals, aspirations, and demands of terrorists may be socially irresponsible. Although he concedes that international news reporting about terrorist incidents often reflects self-restraint, his empirical study of 49 terrorist incidents suggests that widespread publicity may force public officials to make premature concessions to terrorist demands. Schaffert analyzes terrorists coverage in The New York Times, London Times, and Die Welt. Most of his critical remarks about news reporting appear in a concluding chapter following a scholarly literature review of media and terrorism and an explanation of his quantitative methodology and findings. The author carefully narrows his discussion and recommendations to terrorist incidents, and he explains that his conclusions are not generalizable to reporting about military or criminal activities. The book, which is well researched and written, is an addition to the journalism literature that questions whether national and international security are more important than freedom of information. The research does not explore the role of television news. Some issues regarding how concessions to terrorist demands result from press publicity also are left unresolved. Recommended for serious collections in journalism ethics and freedom of information."-Choice

Author Bio

RICHARD W. SCHAFFERT lives in Vienna, Austria, where he conducts private research and consultation on Eastern European politics and international terrorism. His interest in political terrorism stems from his participation in the development of counter terror policies while serving as a Liaison Officer at the American Embassy in Manila in 1980-81. From 1981-83, he served as Director of Policy Studies at NATO military headquarters in Belgium. Dr. Schaffert is a retired U.S. Navy Captain and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska.