Media and Fear: After Terrorism

Journal title SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE
Author/s David L. Altheide
Publishing Year 2018 Issue 2017/54
Language English Pages 21 P. 19-39 File size 100 KB
DOI 10.3280/SC2017-054003
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This paper tries to underline the connections between decisions, policies, and especially the role of propaganda and the politics of fear that have helped set the 21st century agenda. In fact the dominance of the politics of fear and harsh language in justifying military and political action in combating terrorism was retargeted at domestic issues, policies, and individuals. The audience was primed to entertaining media presentations of dehumanizing and crude language especially after 9/11. Crime and war were used as narratives by the politics of fear that have drastically changed our culture and paved the way to the "war on terrorism" not only outside USA but also at home.

Keywords: Politics of fear, mediated terrorism; surveillance; crime frame; propaganda.

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David L. Altheide, Media and Fear: After Terrorism in "SOCIOLOGIA DELLA COMUNICAZIONE " 54/2017, pp 19-39, DOI: 10.3280/SC2017-054003