Audience for Terrorist Propaganda
Terrorism is considered a global common in the sense that it affects both state and non-state actors in the current international system. A number of non-actors prefer the use of terrorism in trying to force the government to provide what they want. In this case, terrorism is a communication tool that is effectively employed in fighting for the rights and freedoms of the minorities. Ivory (2007) noted that terrorism is radical in nature and its actions are mainly unlawful, as the perpetrators often attempt to settle political crises through violence as witnessed in the Middle East and East Europe after the Second World War.
The aim of any terrorist action is simply to notify the government and other actors of their capabilities, as well as passing an important message to the people. Terrorist organizations vary in their demands, scope, and membership since some are huge organizations that operate globally while others are locally owned. Whichever the case, terrorist messages are targeted towards their followers with an aim of ensuring compliance and enforcing loyalty. For instance, religious extremism, which is mainly targeted at youths, is aimed at intoxicating the younger generation with certain information that would probably change their ways of reasoning given the fact the young people are easily manipulated.
Audience for Government Propaganda
Any government is charged with the responsibility of ensuring its citizens enjoy their freedoms and rights effectively. In this regard, it has to update members of the public in case of a disaster such as terrorism. The government has to offer adequate security to citizens because this is its main role and whenever terrorists strike, the government officials have to update them on the steps taken to improve the situation. In other words, the government has to spread propaganda to neutralize the powers of terrorist who pose a serious threat to state sovereignty.
State and non-state propaganda
The aim of terrorists, especially those concerned with religious extremism, is to attract the attention of the state and other members of the public. Through this, Hill (2003) observed that the aim of terrorists is to influence the views and opinions of the public. On the other hand, the government circulates propaganda mainly to confuse members of the public as regards the recurrence of the incidence. In the modern society, the political party that receives the majority votes forms the government.
During campaigns, political parties promise citizens to offer adequate security and this explains why the government will always try to prove its efficiency even though things might be different. Waagner (2001) suggested terrorists view the government as the major impediment to the realization of their ambitions and their major aim is to alter the existing system based on class. In this regard, terrorists pass false information that express violence mainly to scare members of the public and force the government to incorporate them into the system.
My Thoughts
Both the state and non-state actors employ terrorist propaganda to further their interests effectively. The government is always of the view that it has the mandate of ensuring the security of the people is guaranteed. Therefore, it aspires to convince members of the public that their safety is the major concern of the government hence terrorists should be dealt with accordingly. Whenever a terrorist disaster is reported, Levin (2014) proved through the video that government security forces work hard to save lives and dispel fears that terrorists always propagate. Terrorists are made up of groups of individuals who are dissatisfied with the way things are run in government.
References
Hill, P. (2003). Defending the defenseless. The Abortion Controversies, 4(1), 1-10.
Ivory, J., et.al. (2007). Terrorism in film trailers: demographics, portrayals, violence, and changes in content after September 11, 2011. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, 8(1), 1-11.
Levin, M. (Executive Producer). 2014. Soldiers in the Army of God (DVD). New York, USA. HBO Documentary.
Waagner, C. (2001). Clayton Lee Waagner’s escape clause: How low support personnel can escape death. Christian Gallery News, 1(1), 1-15.