IDL-103: Lecture ¹

Lecture 5. Terrorism and the Media.

Dr. Laura Donohue

Internet Research Materials:

Questions for Seminar Discussions:

How do the news-as-information approach and news-as-entertainment approach differ in terms of impact of terrorism coverage? Should freedom of speech be in any way restricted with regard to terrorist acts reporting? If yes, where would the limits on such restrictions be put?
Should the government have a strategy of relations with mass media as far as terrorist acts are concerned. If so, what elements should such strategy have? (Refer to the readings for Lecture 5).

Key terms:

The Fourth Estate

The “Watchdog” role

The Public

The Public’s Right to Know

Media credibility

“Blocked society” (Bonanate)

The First Amendment

The “minimal state” (Nozick)

The “marketplace of ideas” (Milton)

The principle of laissez-faire

Law vs. Ethics in libertarianism

Libertarian vs. Affirmative interpretation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution