Negative Impact of Social Media on Society: the Issue of Terrorism

Terrorism, one of people’s biggest fear, and social media, an increasingly global phenomenon. Both which grows more and more inherent in our everyday life. It may occur though to emphasize the abounding complexity regarding the connection in terrorism and the media. But no media issue has been marked by such fertile wall to wall coverage in modern years, and no other has challenged media experts to keep journalistic standards and perspective in their broadcasting such as terrorism. Most of brutal attacks we perceive acting out today, is at least conceived with media coverage in intention, targeting not just the actual victims but also millions of startled and shaken witnesses crosswise the earth. The relationship between terrorism and negative impact of social media on society is analysed in this essay. Here we will discover the global issue of terrorism and link it to the national phenomenon, media. Also, their challenges and how it affects society.

There are various definitions of the word terrorism. ‘’Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for a religious, political or ideological goal, and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants (civilians)’’, is the definition from NDLA: - a Violent Alternative. So, terrorism applies to the performance of terrorizing and strategies based on the use of terror, that is violent and threatening actions that create fear. It is implied to build fear and requires a planned attack for a purpose. Terrorism is anticipated to hold an audience, moreover, it creates hatred within individuals or groups of people. The word media, however, means to the communication channels through which we distribute news, music, movies, education, promotional messages, and other data. It includes physical and online newspapers and magazines, television, radio, billboards, telephone, the Internet, fax and billboards. It illustrates the many methods through which we interact in society. Meanwhile it points to all communication, all extending from a telephone call to the news on television can be termed as media.

Yet how negative effects of social media on society and terrorism are linked? While, the enormous importance being exerted on media to attract audiences – in the face of ongoing waves of technological and financial transformations – can create a powerful temptation to focus on the violent and the sensational, and to be the first to report breaking information and rumors, even before accuracy can be assured. Of course, this is by no means a request for an inappreciable report. Press has a responsibility to present valid data in the public interest, and readers have a major right to reach reliable and fair information, particularly when it may affect their personal security or freedom. However, is this accomplished by unrelenting coverage, consistent breaking alerts, and the same story retold again and again, for events inherently designed to incite fear

Social media is larger than a trend. It's grown a primary part of the foundation of modern society. It's difficult to overestimate whence much of a result social media has on our world. This is on many levels, such as the way we socialize, the way we gain access to information and the way we do business. The media impacts countless people's behavior. The media can bias, effect, persuade and pressurize society, along with even controlling the world at times in both positive and negative ways; mentally, physically and emotionally.

There is a positive and negative effects of social media on society. Social media has revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the web. There is a positive effect on business, politics, socialization as well as some negative effects such as cyberbullying, privacy, and fake news. Mass Media are organizations in our society. The medium industries provide information and entertainment, but mass media also can affect political, social, and cultural institutions. Mediums such as radio, newspapers, and television all reflect and affect American society.

Media bias is the bias or perceived bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media in the selection of events and stories that are reported and how they are covered. Structural bias is the bias against an individual or a group that occurs as a consequence of the task and/or reward structure of a classroom. Numerous types of task and reward structures are possible in the classroom. Some research suggests that controlling for other factors, for example, an attack perpetrated by Muslims is covered significantly more than other terrorist attacks. And much attention has been paid to attacks in Western countries, despite 96% of the victims of terrorism in 2016 being in Africa, the Middle East or South Asia. These kinds of representations can fan stereotypes and division, and fuel backlash and counter-violence. The risks are real – hate attacks against wider groups perceived as being linked to a violent attack have been shown to jump dramatically in many cases – sometimes for years afterward. 

Modern terrorism is media terrorism. The media are attracted by extreme terrorist acts not only because it is their duty to report on any major event but also because, at the same time, the dramaturgy of terrorism attracts large scale attention. Today’s terrorists have picked up this dynamic and take action not only to make their victims suffer but also to create maximum attention around the world. Terrorists have become “media competent” by knowing and applying the principles of attracting media attention in most of their activities. Not only do they now own the necessary technical equipment such as video cameras and Internet facilities, but they also usually know how to time and create those images which can guarantee a maximum impact through the media. This dynamic could lead to the conclusion that a major option for the prevention of terrorism would be not to allow journalists and the media to report on terrorist activities or events or at least to inhibit coverage as much as possible. Several countries indeed have chosen this option and it is difficult in those countries to have access to information or events that are related to terrorist activities.