The Importance Of Media Setting In The Media

Terrorists are trying to be in the media as often and as long as possible, in order to become well known to the public. They attempt to influence the audience by spreading the word on the existence of the organization: the terrorists get attention, and people will be aware of the existence, methods, and targets of the group. In fact, terrorists are thus carrying out propaganda by proxy (Transnational Terrorism, 2008, p. 7).

Terrorists use the media “not only to be known to the audience, they also want to try to get their messages across through the media. Sometimes this can be achieved merely by carrying out attacks: the audience may ask itself why people would do such things” (Transnational Terrorism, 2008, p. 8). The result of terrorists’ using the media to their own advantages has resulted in “terrorist attacks are increasingly being planned with care to attract the attention of the media” (Weimann, 1987, p. 23).

Agenda Setting and Framing in the Media

With public reliance on the news being so high, it becomes more possible for the media to frame information in a specific way for the public. The media’s role in reporting the news gives it the “potential for structuring issues for the public” (Littlejohn & Foss, 2011, p. 341). “Agenda setting is the theory that the more attention a media outlet pays to a certain phenomenon, the more importance the public attributes to such an issue” (Transnational Terrorism, 2008, p. 5). “Media coverage often overdramatizes an event by focusing on the emotional build-up, deadlines and possible scenarios that result from it” (Weimann, 1987, p. 27). Often in the media’s portrayal of terrorism, “dramatic images are chosen over words to communicate a specific message… Global citizens pay attent...

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...nformation we receive from them, people across the world still heavily rely on the media for news. The intertwining relationship between terrorists and the media play a role in exactly how the media portrays terrorist attacks. Although it can be argued that reporting on behalf of the terrorist, and their motivation for their action just gives the terrorist what they want, it still remains crucial for the media to report the news. The media has to struggle to find a balance between reporting the news and de-emphasizing the wants/needs of the terrorist. The specific way that a terrorist is portrayed in the news can directly affect how the public perceives that terrorist and his/her actions. This research paper will examine how the media’s portrayal of the Boston Marathon bomber, Dzhokar Tsaernev shaped the public’s perception of him and most importantly, his actions.