Understanding Terrorism as a Tool of Communication and Its Impact on Media

Terrorism and Communication: Can Terrorism be understood as an act of communication in crisis communication and does a mutually beneficial relationship exist between media and terrorism? 19 19- -18 April 2024 18 April 2024 Buhle Mnyanda and Naasi-Sipho Vayeka lisabuhle007@gmail.com / 219083906@student.uj.ac.za African War Lab, University of Johannesburg

Presentation Overview Understanding terrorism as an act of communication and the link between media and terrorism The paper looks at the mutual benefits of terrorism and media It also analyses terrorism as a structural tool and communicative act that pressures governments into administrative reforms. Review literature from different institutions and scholars to understand the link between media and terrorism Uses Mixed Methods to conclude the matter of terrorism, crisis communication, and media having mutual benefits Case studies from Nigeria are also used as examples of terrorist incidents that had/are occurring in Africa Recommendations Conclusion 2 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg 2

RESEARCH QUESTION? Do mutually beneficial relations exist between media and terrorism? Can terrorism be considered an act of crisis communication that leads to administrative and political reform? 3 3 6/16/2025 Vice Dean: Internationalisation

INTRODUCTION The rise of terrorism has resulted in regress development Terrorism has negatively impacted many African communities economically, Socially and Environmentally 22% increase in terrorism has resulted in the death of over 8000 people (GTI, 2023) Some of the reasons there is a Rise in terrorism is due to strategic ideological and psychological motivations Meaning terrorism was spread through radicalization of people using ideological speeches However, in this age of digital development terrorism is transparent and advanced through technological innovations e.g ICT,s Terrorism organizations have developed digital skills to advance their agenda Which then instill fear in communities and governments 4 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg 4

LITERATURE REVIEW GTI (2023) report notes that Sub-Saharan Africa which has half the terrorism-related deaths is now the epicenter of terrorism Josef (2005) says modern terrorism is media terrorism Many terrorist experts claim that International media coverage increases International terrorism communication (Damm, 1982) Ttyintende (2021) says terrorism needs to be understood as a structural phenomenon 5 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg 5

METHODOLOGY Qualitative research Secondary Data Case Study Method (Nigeria) 6 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg 6

ANTICIPATED FINDINGS Mutual Relations of Media and Terrorism There is a mutual satisfaction between media and terrorism Terrorism is communicated via media platforms such as television, and social media platforms: -Online newspaper -Facebook -Twitter and other social media platforms And Terrorism being communicated via these platforms allows terrorists or terrorist groups to maximize their potential leverage of instilling fear in the public and government The primary goal of terrorist or terrorist organizations is to gain recognition worldwide; the only way terrorists can gain recognition is through having a symbiotic relationship with the media coverage (Damm, 1982). 7 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg 7

CASE STUDY (NIGERIA) Boko Haram Terrorism in Nigeria Media Houses that have broadcasted the Terrorist attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria include: -Al Jazeera -British Broadcasting Corporation -Agence France-Press 8 8 6/16/2025 Vice Dean: Internationalisation

ANTICIPATED FINDINGS ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM Terrorism, by its nature, is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon with various motivations and consequences. While it is often associated with violence and destruction, terrorism also can serve as a structural tool and a communicative act that leads to political and administrative reform. Terrorism is not an ideology in some cases but is an instrument of the insurrectionist and the politician alike that is used by both individuals or groups and the state (Laqueur and Wall, 2018:28). The 2023 GTI report states that terrorism, especially as a structural phenomenon, thrives in states with poor ecologies and climate-induced shocks due to the combination of environmental, economic, and social factors. 9 9 6/16/2025 Vice Dean: Internationalisation

CONTINUATION Further, terrorists use terrorism, the act of violence, as a communicative act as terrorism in some cases serves as a mean of insurgency and political manipulation in some Africa states. Therefore, terrorist attacks and violent extremism, as noted by Gerrand (2022), is a communicative act as when terrorist attacks are amplified, they serve to empower other prospective attackers. The wide spread of outrage and terror to a bigger audience; the political instability bred by terrorism; the manipulation of media and technological innovations to control the narrative to shape public attitudes to their desired reactions, and the conflict and insecurity caused by terrorism pose a challenge to both the government and the public. 10 10 6/16/2025 Vice Dean: Internationalisation

CASE STUDY (NIGERIA) Hijacking of the North- Eastern States in Nigeria by Boko Haram 11 11 6/16/2025 African War Lab (Politics and International Relations), University of Johannesburg

CONCLUSION With Media and Terrorism there are indeed mutual relations Terrorists need media to maximise leverage of instilling fear to governments and the public Media platforms do need stories and incidents to report on Thus, we say Media and Terrorism work hand in hand 12 12 6/16/2025 Vice Dean: Internationalisation

Thank you. AWL University of Johannesburg l 13