"Terrorism," the Media, and the Liberal-Democratic State: A Critique of the Orthodoxy

The media reporting of terrorism in Western democracies is examined. The term of "terrorism" is seen to be semantically related to the issues of legitimate political activity & practical rationality. How media discourse can routinely produce dominant meanings is shown. Official & semiofficial orthodox views on the media's role in reporting terrorism is discussed, & control of such reporting in the UK is examined. Further investigation is suggested using comparative analysis of state systems in conjunction with their national media, & through analysis of the specific causes of terrorism. Modified HA.