Discuss Gadt Wolfsfeld's position on the media and terrorism

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• Gadt Wolfsfeld states that media victories are crucial for terrorism.
• In the al Asqa Intifada both sides tried to use the media.
• Struggles for the way a battle is reported are as important as combat on the battlefield.
• Neither side wants to be portrayed as the aggressor.
• The Palestinians know that sensational television coverage presents one of their best chances to receive outside intervention, leaving Israel to practice damage control.
• Both sides have structures to capture media attention and present their respective views.
• Wolfsfeld also believes the media is the primary tool for demonizing the enemy, and the most powerful tool is the way television reports casualties.
• Both sides use the same pattern – each side compassionately presents its own casualties and describes how they got their injuries in horrific terms, whereas the other side's killed and wounded are described as statistics.
• Although radio and print media are important, television takes center stage because it can show bloody images.
• The worst images are shown many times over on the twenty-four-hour networks.
• The media makes conflict worse in a subtle way because drama dwindles when news organizations report peace efforts.
• Most reports about peace efforts are stories of the breakdowns.
• When an explosion threatens peace talks or terrorists behead a hostage after fighting has ended, television, radio, and newspaper reporters flood the world with gruesome stories.
• Negotiations during civil unrest are not dramatic, but explosions and machine gun fire are riveting.