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TV and Terror: How the Medium Plays Into Terrorist Strategy

Nov 8, 2017 | 10:12 GMT

TV can capture the blood, gore and mayhem of a terrorist attack far better than print or audio can, for better or for worse.

By devoting so much airtime to terrorist attacks, broadcasters give their perpetrators exactly what they want.

(PhotoTalk/iStock, JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The terrorist attack in New York last week hit close to home. My 11-year-old grandson sometimes rides the bike I gave him on that very bike path. You can see why I became glued to the TV. Following the initial wave of feeling -- of relief upon hearing my grandson was safe, of anguish for the victims and their families -- my binge on the TV coverage got me thinking. This is just what they want me to be doing: Dwelling on the damage a single terrorist can do -- becoming terrorized. And TV is the perfect means to that end....

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