Media Discourse on Jihadist Terrorism in Europe

Authors

  • Sybille Reinke de Buitrago IFSH - Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg / Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15664/jtr.626

Keywords:

Media discourse, Jihadist terrorism, Westergaard, Yemen cargo plot, Stockholm attack, Motivations, Symbolic offences, Attack type

Abstract

This article analyzes the manner in which European print media discuss jihadist terrorism in Europe. It presents key results from a qualitative analysis of media discourse following three selected attacks in seven European countries in 2010: the attack on the cartoonist Westergaard, the Yemen cargo plane plot, and the Stockholm suicide attack. The article finds that attack type is a factor shaping media discourse across different media in Europe. Considering that terrorists also aim to impact discourse for their own agenda, the article presents implications for policy reactions on the basis of attack type, and not as desired by terrorists.

Downloads

Published

2013-09-24

Issue

Section

Articles