Transcript reporting terrorism - Theophilus Abbah`s Blog

REPORTING TERRORISM
BY
THEOPHILUS ABBAH, MANAGING EDITOR
DAILY TRUST
ABUJA
TUESDAY, APRIL 05, 2016
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WHAT IS TERRORISM?
• There are over 100 definitions of terrorism. The
word has French origin, terreur, which means the
act of creating great panic, fear, or to cause
serious trembling.
• Terrorism was used formally in the 18th Century
during the French Revolution.
• The Committee for Public Safety created fear and
saw to the death of over 40,000 persons in the
name of protecting the interest of the state. It
was called the Reign of Terror
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What is terrorism?
• Elements of Terrorism are:
• (1) Acts or threats of violence
• (2) Communication of fear to an audience
beyond the immediate victim
• (3) Political, economic or religious aims by the
perpetrators of acts of terror
• (4) It’s usually not rational.
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Understanding Terrorism
It’s not new
• Mesopotamian rulers (Babylon) who did mass killing of
enemies and take over their lands.
• Pirates, Vikings and Teutonics
• Sicarii in the 1st Century AD
• Crusaders
• Babarians (Germans)
• Inquisition by the Catholic Church
• French Revolution
• The Anarchists in Europe
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Understanding Terrorism
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The Irish Republican Army
The Assassins
The Thugees
Opponents of the Othman Empire (Armenians and Macedonians).
Hagana and Irguns in Palestine
Al-Qassam, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, Hezbollah
The American Army of God
Italian Red Brigade,
Spanish ETA
Al-Qaeda, ISIS
Al-Shabab, AQIM, Taliban
Boko Haram
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Types of Terrorism
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State Terrorism
Religious Terrorism
Right Wing Terrorism (gangs, and militia)
Left Wing Terrorism (socialist ideology)
Pathological Terrorism (they use violence for the
pleasure of it)
• Issue-Oriented (Environmental, Anti-Abortion, EndTime Prophets)
• Separatists (PKK, IRA, ETA)
• Narco-Terrorism (e.g Revolutionary Armed Forces of
Colombia FARC)
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Reporting Boko Haram
• Understanding it’s history and doctrine
They are opposed to:
• Democracy
• Laws and legislation
• Paying allegiance to any un-Islamic Government
• Un-Islamic education system
• Law enforcement and security agencies
• Law courts
• Reciting of National Anthem
• Scientific Theory of Evolution
• Big Bang Theory
• The English concept of God
• They believe in fighting the cause of God
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Issues in Reporting Terrorism
• Propaganda: Terrorists love publicity. They want to use the media to
propagate their exploits. Examples of BH statement:
 Attempting to incite and recruit other Muslims
 Claiming to be fighting for God
 Justifying mass murder
 Spreading hate
 Self-Praise
 Denouncing the authorities
 Attacking politics and political figures
 Encouraging suicide missions
 Imitating the activities of other religious terrorist groups
 Exaggeration
 Denial of any form of defeat
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Issues in Reporting Terrorism
• Reliability of information, especially from the sect
• Sources of the stories
• Authenticating casualty figures from Red Cross, NEMA, Police, instead of
from the sect
• Taste (photos, indecent/inflammatory statements) and other ethical issues
• National Interest: Without the nation, there can’t be peace: don’t put
down the army; don’t praise the sect; don’t reveal national security
strategies
• Safety tips for journalists: have a fixer if going to ‘hot spots’; be in touch
with the office; don’t show bias for the sect when you’re with them; have
alternative telephone numbers; be in touch with security agencies; raise
alarm in the media if under threat; don’t report falsehood against the
sect, as it would infuriate them…
• Holding government accountable for resources allocated to the war on
terror
• Welfare of troops on the frontline is a potential story.
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Issues in Reporting Terrorism
• Data journalism: checking trends in casualties; maps indicating
where insurgents operate; comparing their activities and acts with
those of other countries; putting cost to the damages done
• The plights of IDPs
• Terrorism Financing: armed robbery; tax; cattle rustling; ransom for
abductions; contributions by sympathizer; international Jihadi
group’s contributions
• Reporting counter-insurgency measures:
• Deradicalization/
• Dealing with indoctrination
• Interviews with experts and opinion leaders
• Denying the sect of publicity (to some extent)
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