Whose side is the Media on? Tourism vs. Terrorism
Author: Megan Olivia Paley
1 Commentries
Abstract:
The focus of this paper is to explicate an understanding of the relationship between Tourism and Terrorism, with a particular focus upon the role of the Media and its significance as a connection between the two. Who is the Media benefitting? Could it be detrimental to the success of the Tourism industry where Terrorism is concerned? And finally, is it possible to control the relationship between the Media and Terrorism?
Keywords:
Terrorists, Terrorism, Tourism, Tourists, Media
Summary:
It is difficult to say whether terrorism has increased or whether it is actually our preoccupation and awareness with it that has. Nonetheless in our media-driven society the various networks within mass media have allowed terrorist organisations to feel the illusion of power. (Buckley & Klemm,1993; Baker & Coulter, 2007)
Whether terrorist attacks are based in Europe, the Middle East or the US it is inevitably the case that the organisers of terrorism exploit the media in order to benefit their propaganda schemes, information gathering and overall operational efficiency. Whether the act of terrorism is executed by a relatively amateur group or by a network of terrorists, the media goals remain the same; attention, recognition and even respect. (Bilgen, 2012; Nacos, 2002)
In return, the Media receives full attention from the public, record sales and huge audiences which are vital to its existence. Just as terrorism needs to be communicated to have an effect, the media has to cover terrorist incidents in a way that will benefit them from the public's desire to gain information; it is fair to say that the relationship between the media and terrorism is mutually beneficial. (Nacos, 2002; Bilgen, 2012)
Although scholars offer differing explanations when discussing terrorist objectives, there is a collective agreement that terrorists have much to gain by targeting tourists. Upon examination several objectives come to light; targeting tourists helps terrorists to achieve their strategic aims. Not only will targeting tourists provide disruption to the tourism industry but gravitating towards international tourists can satisfy resourcing needs. (Richter & Waugh, 1986; Sonmez et al, 1999)
For terrorists the high profile, symbolism and news value of international tourists is too valuable to be left unexploited. Academics argue that tourism can be the message as well as the means of communication by terrorists, this leads well into sources of literature that discuss how tourism can inspire terrorism through socioeconomic or cultural resentment and how it can be used as an instrument to deliver the message of political and ideological opposition. (Sonmez et al, 1999)
From the Bali Bombings of 2002 we can see how the tourists as the target were valuable alongside the media. Academics argue that there is often less of a local community backlash when tourists are the subject of an attack because there are fewer local innocent victims, nonetheless it must be pointed out that in the instance of the Bali Bombings of 2002 this backfired due to the high rates of death amongst the Indonesian communities. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)
Media coverage of terrorism or political commotion has the ability to shape individual's perceptions of tourist destinations. Not only can terrorist events affect decisions regarding tourist travel but they can also influence the choices in relation to modes of transport perhaps more significant to such decisions is the wider question of safety from criminal or terrorists acts. (Hall, 2002)
With issues of uncertainty amongst tourists and travel, many national and regional tourism organisations have to decide how to respond; the main question addressed is when the market will regain confidence and return to 'normality.' Central to this question is the role of the media and its influence upon public opinion. When the media interprets issues it can give them more or less significance dependent upon the type of coverage provided, the media is clearly a highly influential tool. (Hall, 2002; Wood & Peake, 1998)
In relation to the media, the terrorists' choice to target Bali meant that an attack on an area with large amounts of western tourists would inevitably attract foreign interest therefore publicising the terrorists' cause. Literature suggests that it would not only attract attention but also generate external publicity; something which the government could not suppress. Interestingly, some academics argue that in actual fact the tourists as a whole were not the intended victims but the targets were Westerners and other religious groups. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)
Despite the negative conception that media supports the success of terrorist attacks, there is the view that the media is beneficial to tourists as a means of information or warning. The media has the ability to influence safety and security policies when such attacks take place, which arguably creates a safety net for tourists who might have otherwise been caught up in further attacks. This poses the question as to whether the media is in support of the tourism industry or does it actually hinder its success? (Sonmez et al, 1999)
Some academics argue that the media should reduce its attention towards terrorist activity; however whether this would reduce the terrorist attacks is difficult to answer. Other theorists suggest that even if the media were to reduce its attention from terrorist activity, there will always be an opening to showcase terrorism and that it would be a hugely challenging effort to change otherwise.
Bilgen, A. (2012) Terrorism and the Media: A Dangerous Symbiosis, Available: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/07/22/terrorism-and-the-media-a-dangerous-symbiosis/. Last accessed: 7th May 2013
Hitchcock, M., and Putra, N. D. (2007) Cultural Perceptions of Tourism and Terrorism, Available: http://www.mecon.nomadit.co.uk/pub/conference_epaper_download.php5?PaperID=1258 Last accessed: 8th May 2013
Sonmez, S., Apostolopoulos, Y., and P. Tarlow (1999) Tourism in Crisis: Managing the Effects of Terrorism, Journal of Travel Research, 38 (1), pp. 13-18
The focus of this paper is to explicate an understanding of the relationship between Tourism and Terrorism, with a particular focus upon the role of the Media and its significance as a connection between the two. Who is the Media benefitting? Could it be detrimental to the success of the Tourism industry where Terrorism is concerned? And finally, is it possible to control the relationship between the Media and Terrorism?
Keywords:
Terrorists, Terrorism, Tourism, Tourists, Media
Summary:
It is difficult to say whether terrorism has increased or whether it is actually our preoccupation and awareness with it that has. Nonetheless in our media-driven society the various networks within mass media have allowed terrorist organisations to feel the illusion of power. (Buckley & Klemm,1993; Baker & Coulter, 2007)
Whether terrorist attacks are based in Europe, the Middle East or the US it is inevitably the case that the organisers of terrorism exploit the media in order to benefit their propaganda schemes, information gathering and overall operational efficiency. Whether the act of terrorism is executed by a relatively amateur group or by a network of terrorists, the media goals remain the same; attention, recognition and even respect. (Bilgen, 2012; Nacos, 2002)
In return, the Media receives full attention from the public, record sales and huge audiences which are vital to its existence. Just as terrorism needs to be communicated to have an effect, the media has to cover terrorist incidents in a way that will benefit them from the public's desire to gain information; it is fair to say that the relationship between the media and terrorism is mutually beneficial. (Nacos, 2002; Bilgen, 2012)
Although scholars offer differing explanations when discussing terrorist objectives, there is a collective agreement that terrorists have much to gain by targeting tourists. Upon examination several objectives come to light; targeting tourists helps terrorists to achieve their strategic aims. Not only will targeting tourists provide disruption to the tourism industry but gravitating towards international tourists can satisfy resourcing needs. (Richter & Waugh, 1986; Sonmez et al, 1999)
For terrorists the high profile, symbolism and news value of international tourists is too valuable to be left unexploited. Academics argue that tourism can be the message as well as the means of communication by terrorists, this leads well into sources of literature that discuss how tourism can inspire terrorism through socioeconomic or cultural resentment and how it can be used as an instrument to deliver the message of political and ideological opposition. (Sonmez et al, 1999)
From the Bali Bombings of 2002 we can see how the tourists as the target were valuable alongside the media. Academics argue that there is often less of a local community backlash when tourists are the subject of an attack because there are fewer local innocent victims, nonetheless it must be pointed out that in the instance of the Bali Bombings of 2002 this backfired due to the high rates of death amongst the Indonesian communities. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)
Media coverage of terrorism or political commotion has the ability to shape individual's perceptions of tourist destinations. Not only can terrorist events affect decisions regarding tourist travel but they can also influence the choices in relation to modes of transport perhaps more significant to such decisions is the wider question of safety from criminal or terrorists acts. (Hall, 2002)
With issues of uncertainty amongst tourists and travel, many national and regional tourism organisations have to decide how to respond; the main question addressed is when the market will regain confidence and return to 'normality.' Central to this question is the role of the media and its influence upon public opinion. When the media interprets issues it can give them more or less significance dependent upon the type of coverage provided, the media is clearly a highly influential tool. (Hall, 2002; Wood & Peake, 1998)
In relation to the media, the terrorists' choice to target Bali meant that an attack on an area with large amounts of western tourists would inevitably attract foreign interest therefore publicising the terrorists' cause. Literature suggests that it would not only attract attention but also generate external publicity; something which the government could not suppress. Interestingly, some academics argue that in actual fact the tourists as a whole were not the intended victims but the targets were Westerners and other religious groups. (Hitchcock & Putra, 2007)
Despite the negative conception that media supports the success of terrorist attacks, there is the view that the media is beneficial to tourists as a means of information or warning. The media has the ability to influence safety and security policies when such attacks take place, which arguably creates a safety net for tourists who might have otherwise been caught up in further attacks. This poses the question as to whether the media is in support of the tourism industry or does it actually hinder its success? (Sonmez et al, 1999)
Some academics argue that the media should reduce its attention towards terrorist activity; however whether this would reduce the terrorist attacks is difficult to answer. Other theorists suggest that even if the media were to reduce its attention from terrorist activity, there will always be an opening to showcase terrorism and that it would be a hugely challenging effort to change otherwise.
Bilgen, A. (2012) Terrorism and the Media: A Dangerous Symbiosis, Available: http://www.e-ir.info/2012/07/22/terrorism-and-the-media-a-dangerous-symbiosis/. Last accessed: 7th May 2013
Hitchcock, M., and Putra, N. D. (2007) Cultural Perceptions of Tourism and Terrorism, Available: http://www.mecon.nomadit.co.uk/pub/conference_epaper_download.php5?PaperID=1258 Last accessed: 8th May 2013
Sonmez, S., Apostolopoulos, Y., and P. Tarlow (1999) Tourism in Crisis: Managing the Effects of Terrorism, Journal of Travel Research, 38 (1), pp. 13-18