Download Propaganda vs. Basic Rights: Media and Terrorism

Propaganda
versus
Basic Rights
Zykova Ksenia
USU
Is it news report or
propaganda of
terrorism?
Let us think
Why government
should control Mass
Media to enhance
effectiveness of
counterterrorist
measures?
Because:
The First Amendment
to the U.S.
Constitution about
“freedom of
speech” gives
journalists the right
to propagandize
terrorism .
Because:
Mass Media
has become an
instrument of
communication
between the
governments
and the
terrorists.
Because:
Terrorist
propaganda
deprives civilians
of individual rights
for life and health
which should be
protected by the
government.
Dilemma
The government
should control
Mass Media to
enhance
effectiveness of
counterterrorist
measures.
But it means
limitation of civil
liberties and
“ the freedom of
speech and of
the press” .
Let us think
Why people are afraid
of loosing their
rights and freedoms,
if the government
controls the media?
Because:


People are afraid, that governments will
launch a propaganda of ideas and news
suitable for them, but not the whole truth.
The history has examples, when
governmental control of Mass Media and
state propaganda terrorized civilians:
The Third Reich
and the USSR
Stalin and Hitler’s propaganda
confused the enemies
Victory or Bolshevism!
Ruthlessly rout and
annihilate the enemy!
“Child!
You were born for the motherland to die!”
You belong to Hitler!
The Soviet Soldier, save!
The legal governmental control:
repressions, prison camps, exiles
"The Eternal Jew."
“The Jew: The inciter of war,
the prolonger of war.”
195 000 Jews were killed
Gulag
Propaganda violated civil liberties
to learn real events in the world
It was hardly possible to learn the
information from other sources.
Insoluble Dilemma

Autocratic
governmental
control of Mass
Media caused
propaganda of terror
and violation of civil
liberties

Democratic “Freedom
of speech” causes
propaganda of
terrorism and violation
of individual rights
As for terrorism it would be better to restrict
civil liberties (freedom of speech and press) in
exchange for protecting more important
individual rights – right for life and security.
How can government control the
media to avoid any kind of
propaganda?
The government shouldn’t control the
media, but cooperate with it.
 Government should find a golden mean
in reasonable control of Mass Media.

For example:
Joint government/press seminars, laws,
agreements, TV channels, websites to
coordinate their policies and work out
common solutions.
 Mass Media shouldn’t emotionally
dramatize situation during terrorist
incidents. The journalists should report
according ethical norms and selfregulation.
 Government should give the media any
information and ensure security of the
journalists.

Government and Mass Media
should accurately co-ordinate
their policies and give
common response to
terrorism.
Sources:
1. IDL-103, Lecture 1, 4, 5, 6.
2. Bonnell V. E. Iconography of Power: Soviet Political Postersunder Lenin and Stalin. –
3. Los Angeles, L.University of California Press, 1997. – 363 p.
4. Nacos, Brigette. “Mass-Mediated Terrorism: The Central Role of Media in Terrorism
and Counterterrorism”. Chapter I, p. 31.
5. Das Dritte Reich. Deutsche Geschichte 1933-1945: Eine Dokumentation / Koblenz:
Inter Nationes, 1995. – 250 S.
6. Бахара П.В. Сталин испытывает страх… перед Вермахтом // Военноисторический журнал. – 1995. - № 6. – C.22-31.
7. Невежин В.А. Метаморфозы советской пропаганды в 1939-1941 годах //
Вопросы истории. – 1994. - № 8. - C. 164-171.
8. Шпиро Шломо. Средства массовой информации и терроризм // Международная
политика. – 2001. - № 12. – С. 6.
9. Terrorism, The Media, And The Government: Perspectives, Trends, And Options For
Policymakers // http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/state/crs-terror-media.htm
10. US Steps up global PR drive
//http://media.guardian.co.uk/attack/story/0,1301,765637,00.html
11. Terrorism and the Media //http://www.terrorismanswers.com/terorism/media2.html
Manipulation of the Media, Rushworth M. Kidder //
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/index.html
12. The Role of the Press in the Anti-Terrorism Campighn
//http://www.brookings.edu/GS/Projects/Press/Press.htm