publicity is the oxygen of terrorism, as Margaret Thatcher put it in reference to the IRA, the Irish Republican terrorists in the 1980s, but media hype and overreaction may also provide the oxygen for knee-jerk and excessive counter-terrorism measures. In her case, Thatcher introduced a clumsy strategy of half-censorship - forcing broadcasters like the BBC to substitute actual voices of terror group representatives with the voices of actors. It lasted only briefly. Such actions can be double-edged, they risk doing the terrorists' work by undermining the values of openness, liberty and the rule of law which are the extremists' targets." With this in mind, should the US censor the media? If not, how do we ethically report terrorist events?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Censoring the media entirely in response to terrorist events raises complex ethical and practical considerations While limiting media coverage may see... View the full answer