Press/Media Freedom and Terrorism

Terrorism: "Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion."

Effects of terrorism have been seen in all walks of life; economy, security, human rights and the media.

TERRORISM AS A 'CATCH-WORD'.

Terrorism has, over time, become a catch-word. Every living person in western society remembers the day of September 11, 2001 and thusly, has felt the effect of terrorism. From this, global paranoia grew. To reference to anything that is named or supposedly associated with the concept of terrorism is seen as an immeadiately dangerous aspect.

GLOBAL EFFECTS OF TERRORISM:

All over the globe, changes have been made since major terrorist attacks in 2001. The security at all major events is extravagant (take the Chinese Olympics, for example) as the threat of terrorism now appears to be lurking around every corner to the organisers. A global misunderstanding of the Islamic culture has also been portrayed due to the large amount of media focus on Islamic terrorism (As they find it relates to the terrorism we know). Alongside this, human rights are also in question as dropping the word 'terrorism' allows all rights of an individual to be put aside. The renowned extradition of terror subjects is a perfect example, where, in the face of danger, 'upright' countries have taken themselves to lows of torture and manipulation.

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO THE FREEDOM OF MEDIA?

One of the major issues with terrorism impacting upon freedom of media is that the media does not wish to 'give information' to the terrorists. This is demonstrated to the left.

Some measures, taken or contemplated, restrict the "right to know", with government agencies withdrawing information that had previously been available to the public. According to the Columbia Journalism Review, the rules of war reporting set up by the Pentagon have "never been as tough" as during the campaign in Afghanistan. Steps have also been taken to restrict privacy on the Internet, including restrictions on the use by private citizens - but also by human rights groups and the media - of encryption software to protect their email traffic, and to facilitate wiretapping by the authorities.

WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE?

The effect on the media's freedom is enormous. Their ability to cover issues is hugely decimated by the effects of terrorism and the creation of extraditions, guantanamo bay and the patriot act.