NCJ Number
49994
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 45-52
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
FOLLOWING AN OVERVIEW OF THE GROWTH OF INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL TERRORISM, THE PROBLEM OF MEDIA COOPERATION WITH THE POLICE IS EXAMINED. PREPLANNING AND VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES ARE URGED.
Abstract
TERRORISTS DESIGN THEIR ACTS TO ATTRACT MEDIA COVERAGE. THEIR GOAL IS A WIDE AUDIENCE AND PUBLICITY FOR THEIR CAUSE. A SURVEY OF U.S. POLICE CHIEFS FOUND 98 PERCENT FELT LIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF TERRORIST ACTS ENCOURAGED TERRORISM. YET, THE PRESS POINTS OUT THAT IT CAN PERFORM A VITAL PUBLIC SERVICE BY SATISFYING THE PUBLIC'S HUNGER FOR FACTS. INSTANCES IN WHICH THE RELEASE OF NONVITAL INFORMATION OR THE PRINTING OF SPECIFIC DEMANDS HELPED EASE A TERRORIST SITUATION ARE GIVEN. HOWEVER, OTHER EXAMPLES ARE GIVEN IN WHICH INEXPERIENCED REPORTING ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF HOSTAGES. SEVERAL CONFERENCES AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES DEALING WITH THE CONFLICT BETWEEN POLICE MANAGEMENT OF AN EVENT AND THE PUBLIC HUNGER FOR FACTS ARE REVIEWED. EXAMPLES OF VOLUNTARY COOPERATION BETWEEN PRESS AND POLICE IN WEST GERMANY ARE CITED. SUCH VOLUNTARY COOPERATION IS URGED FOR ALL MEDIA AND POLICE. OPENNESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND REALISTIC PLANNING ARE CALLED ESSENTIAL FOR EFFECTIVE HANDLING OF A TERRORIST PROBLEM. EXAMPLES ARE DRAWN FROM TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE UNITED STATES, ARGENTINA, WEST GERMANY, BURMA, AND THE NETHERLANDS, (GLR)