Media Ethics in the War on Terrorism

Abstract

Media and terrorism are interrelated with each other in a number of ways. The role of media; however, is crucial to the terrorists' activities and the war on terrorism. Media acts as a two faced sword in that it can contribute to let the war on terrorism achieve its objectives or it can unintentionally support the terrorists' groups to accomplish their purpose and create fear and terror. In order to have media perform the former function and prevent the occurrence of the latter unintentional effect, it is important that media follows certain ethics. These are known as media ethics. This paper aims to discuss in detail the notion of media ethics in the war on terrorism. In doing so, the author has used a variety of literature including the studies and articles to provide a valid assertion about the subject.

Media Ethics in the War on Terrorism

Introduction

The recent model of terrorism is partially a result of an unexpected growth and progress of technological innovation, which is predominantly demonstrated in the reality that terrorist groups have identified the significance that media has on the success of their objectives. There is a very symbiotic and interactive connection, for the reason that inclinations of media industry and models for media material production make for choice of material that stir the sensation, while terrorist groups can because of their activities, make certain themselves highest possible existence in the media. In fulfilling its purpose terrorists groups are continuously attempting to control and maneuver free media for their own objective. We might articulate that it is the media itself that give worldwide reach to terrorist activities, it impacts the way the community thinks terrorism and menaces that occur from it, it impacts governmental choices exercised to reply to terrorism, but also the interaction established through nationwide and global politics (Perison, 2007).

Though, media does not have to turn out to be a system of terrorism. Through a careful strategy media can, in liberal western nations, change into a sort of tool which can subsequently be utilized as an imperative system in beating terrorists, and the constructive advantages surely surpass negative outcomes caused by probable reckless activities by a fraction of reporters or media organizations (Perison, 2007).

Media ethics

In the period of complete darkness confusions, people and the community needs some sort of direction which act as a light in the darkness. Media is the instrument which can best provide that light to the wider world and community. By communicating the stories, events and incidents occurring, media helps the public to comprehend the complicate world in which they dwell in a better way. With the changes in the world and increased crisis globally which includes poverty, disease, climatic changes, economic recession, clashes and above all the terrorism, the role and responsibilities of media has increased to a large extent. With the increased responsibilities, the challenges have also risen for the media industry and the journalists and other people associated with ...