Marcello Foa 

Media e terrorismo

216

Settembre-Dicembre 2007

Anno LXXII    n. 3

Summary - This paper analyzes the media’s attitude toward terrorism. It shows  how  Internet and You Tube have multiplied opportunities for groups like Al Qaeda to spread their message. In  Internet,  censorhip does not  work and media competition helps  terrorist  propaganda. That is a paradox of the information age. Al Qaeda is  very skilled in communication but nobody knows who the strategists behind the curtain are. The author argues that Al Jazeera cannot be considered a sponsor of terrorism, but often unintentionally the Qatar network helps Islamic fundamentalists spread their views through satellite TV. After 9/11 western governments have been obliged to respond, implementing not only counter-terrorism measures but also communication tools. The author argues that some time western governments (e.g. US and UK ) exceed the limits of  correct information policy. For example: the London plot foiled in summer 2006 was largely overestimated by the British secret service. No serious attack was in sight, but the new rules in the airports (no liquids admitted on board) have never been retracted. Truth is one of the main victims of the war on terror.