Definition of Media Terrorism

When we think of the idea of terrorism come to mind images of destruction in which innocent victims appear. These episodes have an obvious purpose: that the whole of society has real fear. To provoke fear in society as a whole, other strategies are also used that are not violent in a strict sense, but can be just as lethal. We are talking about media terrorism.

Words and images are very powerful weapons

The means of communication they fulfill a social function: report to citizens so that they have their own opinions and criteria. As in any other profession, in the media there are also hidden interests, manipulations, lies (fake news), informational biases and, ultimately, strategies to make lies appear truths.

When a media activates this type of mechanism with some hidden purpose, we can speak of media terrorism.

As a general guideline, informational distortion has a number of characteristics

1) Although the content of a news item is false, some of the information may be true.

2) Like any other act of terror, a type of message is transmitted through the media that produces fear and concern in society as a whole.

3) It is a strategy very similar to psychological warfare. In all psychological warfare a duality is generated in which there are only good guys and bad guys. In this context, the fundamental objective of media terrorism is to demonize the adversary.

4) The different forms of propaganda are the tool fundamental of the professionals who practice this form of terrorism without weapons.

The Venezuelan government defends itself from attacks by the foreign press and accuses it of media terrorism

In the media around the world, the Venezuelan reality is a current issue. As in Cuba a few years ago, there are two informative groups: those who defend social advances and the revolutionary struggle against those who expose the economic weaknesses and the lack of freedoms.

From the point of view of government Bolivarian, Venezuela is being illegitimately attacked by some media that obey the interests of right-wing governments.

For him movement Chavista, the media terrorists have a single objective: to destabilize the country and provoke a change of government. In this context, the terrorist journalist does not act on his behalf but is a "hit man" at the service of interests that are not visible.

Photos: Fotolia - sorokina / diy13