Terrorism, the media, and the bombing of the USS Cole

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Authors
Johnson, Magdalene R.
Advisor
Friedman, Francine, 1948-
Issue Date
2012-05-07
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The role of the media in the reporting of terrorism has evolved and grown along with the development of technology. A poll in 2005 showed that six out of 10 Americans trust the media to report the news fairly and accurately, and do not take the time to verify the reported facts. Considering the current extensive coverage of international terrorism by most major news sources, the lack of fact checking by viewers gives the media the power to control the perception of terrorism in the majority of the U.S. population. There is no media accountability for the possibly inaccurate descriptions of supposed terrorism. I analyze what terrorism is, the media coverage of the USS Cole bombing in 2000 and the power the media has over the perception of terrorism to the people of the United States.