Media Sensationalism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Media Sensationalism - Research Paper Example It is a hallmark of playing with the public emotions in order to create a picture that is intended by government agents or terror groups. Some of the tactics normally employed include editorial biases, exaggeration, deliberate obtuse information that is intended to play with public emotion. Besides, it encompasses magnifying trivial information in order to appear loud and sensible2. Media sensationalism appears to have thrived best during the American September 11, 2001 terror attack and subsequent events. Notably, as the Bush administration strived to keep bold face after terror act, the reality of the eventually created public discontent on the role of security agents and the government in safeguarding its people. It was a devastating event that left 3031 people dead and many maimed. The paper explores how media sensationalism has since evolved as a terrorist tool and as a counter-terrorism weapon. Without communication, there would be no terrorism. Though it existed prior to mass media, terror groups have begun using mass media as a tool to discredit perceived success on the war on terror. Most notably, the Islamist extremist groups such as ISIS have used mass media as a war tool. Dial H-I-S-T-O-R-Y video clip by Johan Grimpez in 1997 reflects a medium and the terrorist conflict way back before the September 11, U.S terror attack. The video offers a historical chart of airplane hijacking and how progressive television coverage became more and more deadly. It centers on an imagined conversation between a terrorist and a novelist. As the video progresses, media coverage increases leading to inward society shock on the reality of plane hijack by the terrorist. The media coverage of incidence serves to create societal tension. Mouna Abdel-Majid, a member of PLO, tells the reporter that westerners have fought beyond their territory, and they were now avenging3. Notably, they engage in exchange