The Uses of Terrorism: A Study in Media Bias
![handle is hein.journals/stanit12 and id is 73 raw text is: The Uses of Terrorism:
A Study in Media Bias
EDWARD C. EPSTEIN*
MOST MODERN GOVERNMENTS have recognized the importance of con-
vincing their subjects of the appropriateness of key governmental policies. The
concern over public opinion is nowhere of greater importance than in those
governments which purport to be representative.' The role of the American
press in shaping public opinion about United States foreign policy will be the
major focus of this essay. One of the most common means of creating
approval for particular aspects of that policy is the use of political labeling.
By using emotionally positive terms to describe supposed friends of the
United States and emotionally negative terms to malign enemies, journalists
cue the American public on what their papers portray as desirable attitudes.2
The press coverage of what is commonly referred to as terrorism is an
excellent example of this process. The high degree of journalistic bias in the
United States is clearly demonstrated by the use of the word terrorism as a
political label. The basic contention of this essay is that representative organs
of the U.S. daily press (and by inference, the press as a whole) have presented
a very limited view of what could be described under the heading of
terrorism. The newspapers studied differed only marginally in the bias of
their reporting of relevant events. One effect of their news slant has been to
portray most individuals who are hostile to United States supported regimes as
fanatics who are irrationally bent on violence and destruction. If accepted
uncritically, this typical press coverage would dominate public opinion on the
use of violence as a legitimate means of resistance against conservative
authoritarian regimes.
The use of the label of terrorism is analyzed through content analysis.
The purpose in such an analysis is (1) to define the term through its usage in
a variety of newspapers, (2) to contrast the favorable reporting given certain
events with the unfriendly coverage shown in others, and (3) to discuss
possible reasons for the bias so evident in the press.
I. TERRORISM: THE DATA
A. The Historical Setting
Between 1968 and 1972, newspaper readers were informed of a variety
of kidnappings in Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and
Uruguay. In most instances, these acts were intended to secure the release of
political prisoners and/or the payment of ransom.
*Edward C. Epstein, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of
Utah, received his education at Cornell University [B.A., 1965], University of California
at Berkeley [M.A., 1966], University of Illinois at Urbana [Ph.D., 1970].](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/stanit12&div=8&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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The Uses of Terrorism: A Study in Media Bias
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