Terrorism and Communication
A Critical Introduction
- Jonathan Matusitz - University of Central Florida, USA
Based on the premise that terrorism is essentially a message, Terrorism and Communication: A Critical Introduction examines terrorism from a communication perspective—making it the first text to offer a complete picture of the role of communication in terrorist activity. Through the extensive examination of state-of-the-art research on terrorism as well as recent case studies and speech excerpts, communication and terrorism scholar Jonathan Matusitz explores the ways that terrorists communicate messages through actions and discourse. Using a multifaceted approach, he draws valuable insights from relevant disciplines, including mass communication, political communication, and visual communication, as he illustrates the key role that media outlets play in communicating terrorists' objectives and examines the role of global communication channels in both spreading and combating terrorism. This is an essential introduction to understanding what terrorism is, how it functions primarily through communication, how we talk about it, and how we prevent it.
Engages the reader into a too often overlooked aspect of Terrorism studies-the role of the media in shaping terrorism beyond that of the intentions of the terrorist.
In an atmosphere of 24/7 coverage of terrorism,particularly from the middle east in provides a much needed perspective on this essential aspect of the terrorist act.
An excellent overview of the communicational aspects of terrorism, and text is easily read and aceesible for most students.
Matusitz book offers a really interesting insight on how terrorism works as an organization, and the political functions of terrorism. One aspect of terrorism that I would like to see more of if the book will be updated in new editions, is the focus on individual terrorists, like Anders Behring Breivik in Norway.
This is an incredibly comprehensive book that really digs into the impact of communication on the study and response to terrorism. I have allowed several graduate students to look at it and have discussed it with undergrads in preparation for an online course I will be teaching on this topic over the Winterim. They are excited to be learning about this topic and I can't find a better book to cover this material so thoroughly.
Sage College Publishing
