by Megan Mccarrick

Created on: February 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 03, 2011

Terrorism: How the media shapes our views of it.

Terrorism has lasting, damaging effects on the lives of everyone involved, and the media are the ones that shape how we view it. We cannot even begin to imagine the horror felt by the victims of 9/11. Those who were on the plane, no doubt sat in fear, knowing they were about to die. Though it's been five years since 9/11, no one will ever forget that day or the lives lost. Though life has gone on for the survivors, the victims' families can never get that day back. In their minds, it is a day that has forever scarred their futures. Back when Kennedy was shot, everyone could say exactly where they were when they heard the news. Now, everyone will always remember exactly where they were when the towers went down.

Since September 11, some have lived their lives in fear. The fear was put there by the event that was deemed a terrorist attack. The media are responsible for shaping the fear; our leaders told us it was preposterous, and we had to retaliate.

After September 11, the media's response shaped the nation's actions. For example the Sun proclaimed September 11 in their headline as the DAY THAT CHANGED THE WORLD. While the Daily Mail showed a distance shot of the skyline from across the Hudson River depicting the masses of smoke but no flames. Their headline read: APOCALYPSE NEW YORK. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. Others issued warnings to Afghanistan to give up Osama bin Laden. Some went so far as to offer a five million dollar reward in their headline. Still others called for a moment of silence and to raise the American flag. It was headlines like these that brought lasting effects. Partly, we will never forget 9/11 because the media won't let us forget it.

This action on September 11 was defined as a terrorist attack by both President Bush and the UK prime minister, Tony Blair. People then believed the US was justified and even compelled to respond. Because these were men everyone revered, we believed them. Therefore anytime someone talks about terrorism, we automatically think of September 11 and the twin towers. Since that day has had lasting effects on our nation, we can assume that terrorism has lasting effects all the time.

As Americans, in every movie we see good guy versus bad guy scenarios. Things like September 11 always put these scenarios to work; it's us versus them and good versus evil. In September 11, the good guys are the Americans, while the bad guys are the foreigners. Names such as Osama bin Laden

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