Terrorism is symbolic or literal: Role of media and shaping public opinions regarding terrorism

Sidra Aamer

Abstract:

The study is designed to explore the perceptions of the public regarding terrorism and the role media is playing in shaping public perceptions, in the light of agenda - setting theory. The study focuses on the relationship between media and terrorism, and to find out how opinions are changed due to media regarding terrorism. It further focuses on how media is creating fear and anxiety among people by portraying exa ggerated news about terrorism, how the opinions of the Pakistani public are being affected, and also the opinions of people worldwide . For this study , data w as collected through survey and the researchers applied stratified sampling, specified based on age , gender, and education, and enrolled in Foundation University , Rawalpindi. For this purpose, a well - defined questionnaire was designed. The results reveal that terrorism is an act of violence and that media and terrorism have a symbiotic relationship. The overall study shows that media is a powerful tool for attracting the general public, and thus terrorists are using media as a tool to spread a wave of terror among the general public and to achieve their political goals and media is also playing a vital r ole in changing public opinions by exaggerating news

research from:

• Foundation University - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Year:

2020

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Global Media and Social Sciences Research Journal

Volume:

25-33

Number:

1

Pages:

1

Month:

8