China Media Research, 15(2), 2019 http://www.chinamediaresearch.net http://www.chinamediaresearch.net 61 editor@chinamediaresearch.net The Symbiotic Relationship between Media and Terrorism from the Past to the Present Daleen Al Ibrahim, Yibin Shi Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. Abstract: The relationship between terrorism and the media has long been controversial; the media has always been accused of providing a fertile ground for terrorist propaganda. Moreover, the rapid developments of media technology have also provided opportunities for terrorists to broadcast their messages and ideas across borders without impediments or restrictions. This study shows the connection between media and terrorism into a broader context by examining the symbiotic relationship between them from the past to the present. The research discusses how new media technology could be a tool in the hands of terrorists, how it changes the way terrorist act, and how media, especially new media, could play a vital role in the contemporary terrorism. Most researchers have found that media has a considerable role in spreading terrorism and exaggerating its image. However, the media has an essential role in combating terrorism and hindering the aspirations of terrorists. [Daleen Al Ibrahim & Yibin Shi. The Symbiotic Relationship between Media and Terrorism from the Past to the Present. China Media Research, 15(2): 61-67] 7 Keywords: Terrorism, Media, Media Technology, Violence, Extremism, Modern Terrorism, Counterterrorism. Introduction Studies on terrorism have significantly increased in recent years and have discussed in numerous articles; due to the expansion of terrorism especially in the Middle East. Whereas, the advent of new media enable terrorist groups to use and employ that new mean, especially the social media, to serve its interests and disseminate its ideas. That generates a persistent need to clarify the relationship between media and terrorism; to better understand the effects of that symbiotic relationship on individuals' attitudes and behaviors toward terrorism. So, in exploring the symbiotic connection between media and terrorism, we explain the media role, in all its form, in promoting contemporary terrorism. On the other hand, the research also touches on media responsibility in combating terrorism and reducing its effects. The Relationship between Mass Media and Terrorism: The Role of Media in Feeding Terrorism It seems appropriate to begin by defining the term “terrorism.” In the context of terrorism lies the word terror which comes from the Latin “terrere” that means “frighten” or “tremble” (Tuman, 2003). When combined with the French suffix isme, referencing to “practice the trembling” or to “cause or create the trembling.” So terrorism is a synonym for fear, panic, and anxiety (Matusitz, 2013). The phrase “terrorism” was first used during the French Revolution, which was called “Reign of Terror” (Hoffman, 1998; Matusitz, 2013). In the “Reign of Terror,” a group of revolutionaries called the Jacobins used the term describing their actions and justifications against enemies of the revolution to assure the “reign of virtue” (Ghosh, Prelas, Viswanath, & Loyalka, 2002). Most researchers agree that terrorism refers to violence or threatened violence against groups or individuals to achieve a goal (Young & Findley, 2011; Hoffman, 1998; Tuman, 2003; Lutz & Lutz, 2011; Marthoz, 2017). According to Brigitte L. Nacos, terrorism defines as “political violence or the threat of violence by groups or individuals who deliberately target civilians or noncombatants to influence the behavior and actions of targeted publics and governments” (Nacos, 2016, p. 37). Hoffman's definition is consistent with Nacos term. He refers to terrorism as a “violent act” conceived precisely to attract attention to send a message through the publicity it generates (Hoffman, 1998). For Tuman, terrorism in its modern terms extended and began to include the war between Islam and Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity (Tuman, 2003). The majority of the literature argues that the media willingly or unwillingly encourage terrorism. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal (2017) emphasizes that now “the problem does not lie in why the media covers terrorism but lies in how the media covers terrorism?” (Iqbal, 2017, p. 449). Most scientists and media scholars consider media to be the “terrorists’ best friends” or, as called by Margaret Thatcher “the oxygen of publicity they live from” (Nacos, 2002; Kavoori, & Fraley, 2006; Snow, 2007; Marthoz, 2017). So, as Marshall McLuhan concluded that “without communication, terrorism would not exist” (Torres Soriano, 2008).