Some countries use terrorism for their own benefit: Journalists

Dubai - "Improper upbringing, mainly at school, has boosted and provided safe haven for terrorist ideologies."

Terrorism, lacking a specific definition, as well as clear concepts and benchmarks, has been ill-used by some countries for their own benefits based on a double-standard policy.
Some governments have ironically directed their media to condemn any terrorist act in their countries and allies, but ordered them to turn blind eyes to the savage Israeli assaults on Palestinians, mainly in Gaza Strip and Aleppo.
This has been underlined by media experts during the 'Media and Terrorism' main session held on Tuesday afternoon as part of the 15th Arab Media Forum which is annually organised by the Dubai Press Club
"Media has turned into a double edged weapon that is unfortunately used by some governments to attack some and defend others at the same time," said Salman Aldosary is the chief editor of Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
Terrorism has terribly developed over the last few years that it has become more powerful with supporting armies and countries, he added. "The entire world is in a tight spot owing to the terrorist attacks which spared no one."
The US double-standard policy has much helped spread extremism, terrorism and fanaticism, he pointed out. "Media should basically deal with terrorism as a social phenomenon as urgent as possible to curb its waning impact, though."
However, mass media in some countries deal with terrorism as a justification, Aldosary noted. "Such unacceptable practices have actually made terrorism wilder, and spread its vicious ideology which knows no religion or culture."
Mass media must be careful when covering terrorist acts, and avoid the images and videos of slain victims, he affirmed. "Such humanitarian-based coverage, which ignores none of the story details, is so critical bearing in mind that the story anchor is more influential than a real bomb."
 Aldosary has called upon all the bodies concerned to enact the requisite international legislations to fight cyber terrorism. "Up to 80 percent of terrorist attacks have been copied from detailed online explanations."
Up to 90 percent of terrorist recruits have been lured through social media, Aldosary disclosed. "Therefore, it is high time to enforce a stricter, yet careful, control on this 'hell-gate'."
Aisha Sultan, a renowned investigative journalist, said the definition of terrorism has been intentionally made vague as some know they are involved in terrorism in a way or another. "Terrorism may though be defined as an organised criminal act that is continuously assumed by certain groups for political targets in most."
The Arab world is no longer a victim of terrorism which spared none, she added. "The situation will be worse unless we all confront it by initially identifying its reasons and finding the right solutions to it."
Some young people have been misled by social media and were subjected to some kind of brainwashing, she stated. "Improper upbringing, mainly at school, has boosted and provided safe haven for terrorist ideologies."
 
ahmed@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE